Lamoriello still standing by coach John MacLean, but for how much longer

Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is still at the Board of Governors meeting in West Palm Beach, Florida, but he has already spoke to coach John MacLean since the team lost to Pittsburgh last night 2-1. Lamoriello was disappointed about the loss, but did not elaborate any further or tell MacLean he was relieved of his duties. So, for now MacLean is still the coach and probably will remain the coach for the time being.

Lamoriello has given no indication of any changes that might or will be made, which is typical of the Devils GM. Now, maybe a coaching change will be made, but it seems like the BOG meeting in Florida has saved MacLean's job for now. The Devils play in Ottawa on Friday night and home to Detroit on Saturday night, which would leave 3 days off before next Wednesday's game against Phoenix at home. This could be enough time to evaluate the team and make a possible coaching change or trade to improve the teams struggling offense.

For now, the Devils have to endure the struggle and it seems that Lamoriello still believes in the player personnel he has. While the playoffs are still a few months away, the Devils chances are very little, so it seems as Lou Lamoriello believes that change or no change will not do the team any good. We shall see what happens, but the playoffs for the Devils this year is likely/officially out of question.

Should the Devils miss the playoffs, it will be the first time since 1996 that they have done so. They have made the playoffs 13 straight years since and 15 out of the lat 16 years, a great accomplishment with 3 Stanley Cups. In fact, the Devils are in danger of possibly finishing with the worst record in the NHL, but as many around the league will tell you, they absolutely deserve this type of season, because of the things that transpired over the summer with the Kovalchuk contract. Finishing 30 out 30 would guarantee the Devils a top 5 pick in the first round of the June Entry Draft assuming Lou Lamoriello would not surrender the pick. Lamoriello has to give up a 1st round pick in any of the next 4 drafts, but it is unlikely to happen in June since that would leave him without a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round pick, but you never know Lou. The punishment stemmed from the rejected Kovalchuk 17 year deal worth $102 million. But, as the most of the teams that won the cup since the lockout, their success has stemmed from having top 5 picks before the lockout, so it might not hurt the Devils to miss the playoffs and start from scratch.