For more than a decade, I associated the New Jersey Devils with “The Trap.” When people think about TRAPS, some people think about mice, some people think about shooting, and some people think about marriage. Not me. It was always the Devils.
If you forced me to think of something other than the Devils, then I probably would have blurted out the name: Jacque Lemaire. So the news that Lemaire will rejoin the New Jersey Devils as head coach has me thinking that we’re in for some seriously boring hockey in Newark next season. Oh joy. Even fans in New Jersey have their reservations about this decision.
I don't care if you win or lose-- just don't promote boring hockey!
The thing is the Devils finally started to play exciting hockey last season. Forget that, it was the first time in years they were even remotely entertaining, let alone exciting. Last season, guys like Zach Parise, Patrick Elias and Brian Gionta were able to play an up-and-down style of hockey that makes it the best sport on earth. Will the Devils continue to play the same style of hockey under Lemaire? You know the forwards have to hope they’ll be able to open it up.
I’m sure Martin Brodeur will be the happiest guy in the world. Last season was the first time in quite awhile that the Devils played wide open hockey; and he was hurt most of the season. Fast paced, end-to-end action is great for the fans—but horrible for a goaltender. To be honest, I would love to see how Brodeur handled 30+ shots per game. It’s one thing to be able to succeed when you’re facing 20 shots per game; it’s another when you’re facing 30.
New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello seems to think the Devils’ style of play will be different this time around. I’m sure that the entertainment value is the last thing on Lamoriello’s mind (as it should be). He wants a guy that he thinks can help develop his team and take them towards the next step towards the NHL elite. He looked around at all the other coaching candidates (young and old), yet still came back to his old friend Lemaire. Here was his rationale:
“It’s a combination of different things. Jacques is an outstanding teacher — we’re going to be putting some young players in the lineup — and he is good with veterans as well. He respects veterans; he respects the job that Brent did last year; he does not have an ego, and he learns every day.” –Lou Lamoriello
At the end of the day, the decision to hire Jacques Lemaire is about wins and losses. The man just knows how to win, plain and simple. Lemaire is 126 games over .500 throughout his coaching career; not to mention he is the proud owner of 11 Stanley Cups. Think Bill Russell—but shorter and with less hair. Forget coaching tactics, defensive systems or even old ties to the organization. Lemaire is being hired because he’s a winner.
Will he win this time around? Only time will tell. Past history tells us that Lou Lamoriello knows what he’s doing. As an NHL fan, I could care less if the Devils win 82 games or lose 82 games. That’s completely beside the point. I just want them to be fairly entertaining—and let’s just say that I’ll remain skeptical until proven otherwise.
Matt Reitz is the Editor-In-Chief here at ViewFromMySeats.com and former NHL Writer for ProHockeyTalk on NBCSports. When he’s not shoving a mic in the face of NHLers or explaining why home teams should wear white, he’s usually trying to figure out what song to play next on his iPod. It’s a never-ending job.
