Sure, the Devils cannot afford to fire another coach and add more headache's to an already disastrous season, but Lou Lamoriello should start to consider firing John MacLean as coach of the Devils. Some of headaches are injuries, salary cap problems, early season struggles, you name it. It could be worse than Murphy's Law. The Devils need someone with NHL Head Coaching Experience and there are some qualified candidates.
The favorite would have to be Ken Hitchcock, who is very familiar with the type of hockey the Devils are accustomed to playing. He can get Marty Brodeur to play better and can establish a winning feeling within an organization. Other guys could be Dave Lewis, former Flyers coach John Stevens, Chicago Assistant and Jersey Native Mike Haviland, former Avalanche and Thrasher coach Bob Hartley, former Thrasher coach John Anderson, Pittsburgh assistant Tony Granato, Red Wings assistants Paul MacLean or Brad McCrimmon, Florida assistant Mike Kitchen, former Blues and Kings coach Andy Murray, or Columbus assistant Bob Boughner with a long shot being Albany coach Rick Kowalsky.
It seems unlikely MacLean would be fired, but if they are not in a playoff sport by mid-December, it might be time for Lou to consider pulling the plug on him.
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The Devils moved Zubrus to the top line with Kovalchuk and Vasyunov ans moved Zajac to the third line with Rolston and Clarkson. Another desperate measure which might not work. Bryce Salvador was at the Prudential Center today. He is feeling much better, but has not been given any medical clearance to start working out at least, so he is still month to month in his recovery from a concussion. Seems that he could be out until February or March with all the "Status Quo" statements from him and Lou.
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