Before the lockout in 2004, the Devils were considered one of the NHL's elite franchises with expectations to go to the finals each year. The Devils won three Stanley Cups in 1995, 2000, and 2003, but since then, the team has struggled advancing past round two in the playoffs and have not been there since 2003 when they actually won the cup. Playoff success is what defines a great NHL team usually, but personnel decisions also apply to these teams.
The Devils demise started after their Game 7 loss in the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals in my view. That summer 2001, the Devils lost their leading scorer in Alexander Mogilny to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mogilny led the team with 43 goals and the Devils offense suffered dearly that year. In Summer 2002, the Devils lost their best special teams player in Bobby Holik to the rival NY Rangers. But, somehow despite having trouble scoring goals, they found creative ways to win and won the cup. During the off-season, the Devils lost their motivating factor in Ken Daneyko as he retired. But, the following year, the team suffered the most significant blow, when in mid-season, captain Scott Stevens suffered post-concussion symptoms. It was an injury that affected the Devils mental state. The injury ended Stevens' career as he would retire post lockout. The Devils were eliminated in the 1st round by the Flyers.
During Summer 2005, the Devils lost core defenseman Scott Niedermayer, who plays a crucial part in their special teams and all around game. It was that summer when Lou Lamoriello was forced to severely over spend on players like Alexander Mogilny, who was brought back on a 2 year/$7 million dollar contract. Mogilny would not live up to it though as he re-injured his arthritic hip, which affected him in Toronto. He did have 12 goals and 11 assists at the time, but his numbers did not translate to the game on the ice. Mogilny was sent to the minors in December 2005. Another player was Vladimir Malakhov, who signed a 2 year/$7.2 million dollar deal and he would be suspended for disagreeing with Lou when he took over for Larry Robinson that year as coach. Finally, there was Dan McGillis, who's contract was not bad, but he struggled and was also demoted. They managed to get into the 2nd round of playoffs, but fell to the eventual champion Hurricanes.
In 2006-2007, the Devils were flying high despite having trouble scoring goals under then coach and current Boston coach Claude Julien. Julien was fired with three games left in the season and Lou Lamoriello coached the team through the playoffs. Summer 2007 was also a nightmare for the team. They lost Scott Gomez and Brian Rafalski to the Rangers and Red Wings respectively. They did not have a 1st round pick because they gave it to San Jose along with the Malakhov contract, so it was much like the current more severe Kovalchuk situation right now. The Devils fell in Round 1 to Gomez and the Rangers.
In Summer 2008, the Devils brought back Brian Rolston on a 4 year deal worth almost $21 million dollars, but an ankle injury that year derailed his career up to now as he has not got back into his rhythm. And the rest is history, the year which was hopeful ended in the most crushing playoff defeat ever in the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes. And since that, the Devils have never been the same. So, you see the cap era has brought more nightmare's to the Devils than success despite the regular season success they exhibited. That brought the end to the Brent Sutter era in Jersey. Last season was low expectations, but yet again they could not establish consistency come playoff time. This season will take a huge miracle to turn it around, if the Devils plan was to suck in the first half and dominate the second, whatever it is it's not working and they a re playing like garbage with little clues from GM Lou Lamoriello about improving the team.
Now, that begs the question, do the Devils need a culture change? In my belief I think this year is finally the beginning of the end of the Lou Lamoriello era. It would not surprise me if Marty Brodeur retires. John MacLean's status is unknown, but he will be gone if not this season, but very likely in the summer. But, Lou Lamoriello has been the most conservative and quiet GM in hockey and has not really opened up too much to the media. I believe it is time for him to step down and let the Devils start fresh. Parise is crucial to the team, so they should sign him long-term. It will be very interesting to see what pick they will get in the draft, but its looking more likely it will be a top 5 pick. Hopefully, he pans out well. But, Lou Lamoriello should really evaluate himself more thoroughly or else he will destroy the New Jersey Devils both mentally and psychologically. It should be a very interesting transformation phase for the Devils after this season.
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