A stellar Stanley Cup performance didn't net Jason Arnott the big contract he thought he deserved.

In the sixth game of the Stanley Cup finals, Arnott retrieved a pass from teammate Patrik Elias in the second overtime and put it past Dallas goaltender Ed Belfour for the game-winning goal.

Oct 28: Scott Oake talks business with Devils' GM Lou Lamoriello on The Headliner.

Arnott instantly threw up his arms in victory as he was surrounded by his teammates and they celebrated the Devils' second Stanley Cup in five years.

Although captain Scott Stevens ended up picking up the Conn Smythe Award as playoff MVP, Arnott was a key component of the Devils' Cup run, leading the team in scoring with eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points.

Defenceman Scott Niedermayer played a pivotal role on the team as well, engineering the power play in scoring five goals in the playoffs.

Jason Arnott
	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
99-00	76	22	34	56	51	22
Career Totals	471	154	210	364	640	-32
Playoff Totals	47	13	22	35	40	2

So when the Devils headed into the off-season, both Arnott and Niedermayer thought they had a little leverage in contract negotiations as they filed for restricted free agency.

They were wrong. While the Devils might have a Stanley Cup trophy and a core of players that could dominate the Eastern Conference for some time, general manager Lou Lamoriello has maintained a hard stance with two of his top players during contract talks during the summer and fall, refusing to budge on his original offer.

Contract negotiations boiled over in September, and the players went public with their grievances over Lamoriello's inability to compromise.

Arnott has been reportedly offered a two-year contract, $5.1 million US deal, while Lamoriello put a three-year deal worth approximately $3.5 million US a season on the table for Niedermayer.

After struggling with the Edmonton Oilers, Arnott found a new life and role as a power forward in New Jersey the past two seasons. He would like to stay with the Devils and have a chance at winning another Cup, but Arnott said that Lamoriello refuses to compromise and he won't play for what the general manager is offering him.

"I'm going to stay strong on my position," said Arnott, who earned $1.8 million US a season. "I don't think what (Lamoriello) is doing is fair."

Scott Niedermayer
	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-
99-00	71	7	31	38	48	19
Career Totals	597	70	245	315	320	103
Playoff Totals	90	14	23	37	58	7

When he was drafted as the third overall pick by New Jersey in the 1991 NHL Draft, Niedermayer was touted as a can't-miss prospect that fit the mold of a young Paul Coffey. While he hasn't put up the type of numbers Coffey did with the Edmonton Oilers, Niedermayer has developed into one of best defencemen in the NHL.

"This is just disappointing," said Niedermayer, who also held out during the 1998-99 season. "I've been here eight or nine years, through a lot of good and bad, and it's too bad we just can't sit down and negotiate."

Considering that the top 10 defenceman in the league earn on average $5.4 million this season - approximately $6.2 million next year -- Niedermayer thinks he's worth the multi-year deal beginning at $4 million a season he's seeking.

Niedermayer's agent, Don Meehan, is attempting re-open contract talks, but there's a feeling that the two sides won't come to an agreement soon.

In an attempt to keep in game shape, the defenceman is thinking about playing in Europe until the contract dispute is resolved.

Lou Lamoriello Born: October 21, 1942 in Providence. Road Island, U.S. Experience: Entering 14th NHL season as Devils' president/general manager. Also served as GM of Team USA at the 1998 Winter Olympics and 1996 World Cup Record: During the first 13 years of his tenure, the Devils have won two Stanley Cups (1994-95 and 1999-2000) and compiled 503-387-136 regular-season record, including five 100-point seasons and three consecutive Atlantic Division championships (1996-97-1998-99).

And it looks like Lamoriello is refusing to budge. Lamoriello is one of a growing group of general managers that have a reputation of being tough when it comes to contract negotiations with restricted free agents. Lamoriello said that he is offering what he feels is fair market value to Arnott and Niedermayer, and refuses give in to what he feels are outlandish salary demands.

Lamoriello is an old hand at contract negotiations, having been in disputes with a number of players over the years. He knows the Collective Bargaining Agreement verbatim and isn't afraid to use it to his advantage.

"Our offers haven't been without a lot of thought," he said. "There's nothing personal about this. I've been very up front, and there's nothing inconsistent here. I feel it's very fair, and if someone doesn't think that's fair, that fine."

Boston Bruins general manager Harry Sinden is another example. Until he stepped down from his general manager's post on Wednesday, Sinden was notorious for his frugal spending habits, arguing over contract terms in the past with goaltender Byron Dafoe and scorer Dmitri Khristich. Forward Anson Carter -- who scored 22 goals for the Bruins in 1999-00 -- is embroiled in his second contract dispute in three seasons.

Mike Peca, the Sabres' heart and soul, has demanded a trade out of Buffalo.

In Buffalo, restricted free agent and captain Mike Peca has been unable to come to terms with general manager Darcy Regier and has demanded a trade. Regier is offering a four-year deal worth approximately $2.25 million a season while Peca is looking for a contract in the $3.5 million a year range.

What Lamoriello strives for is balance and just one look at New Jersey's players salaries reveals that there's not a lot of disparity between Scott Stevens, the top-paid player, and the rest of the roster.

Stevens earned $4,152,579 with the Devils last season, followed by goaltender Martin Brodeur ($4,130,687), Niedermayer ($3,250,000) and Bobby Holik ($2,500,000).

So far, it looks like Lamoriello's tactics are working. Not only are the Devils the second-best team in the NHL over the past three years, but New Jersey is doing well without Arnott and Niedermayer in the lineup. Led by forward Alexander Mogilny, the Devils are scoring goals at a record pace and hold top spot in the Atlantic Division with a 6-3-3 record.