With the Devils playing their best string of hockey of the season, speculation has increased that Jacques Lemaire might return to coach the team next year for 2011-2012. The Devils are currently 16 points out of the 8th spot and have 3 games against the 8th seeded Hurricanes in the next 12 days which could decide their fate. If the Devils make the playoffs, Lemaire will have tough time going back into retirement and might think about coaching the team next year.
Lemaire also said, he will not speak about next year or his plans until the end of the season, meaning the earliest he will give an answer is after Game 82 on April 10 against the Bruins on home ice. If the Devils miss the playoffs, chances are much higher that he goes back into retirement. However, it seems as if retirement is more likely than returning next year.
Lemaire also said that there is nothing anyone could do to convince him to return. But, Ilya Kovalchuk and Brian Rolston might make huge pushes for him to come back and coach one more year. There will be many questions and ramifications from who-ever coaches the Devils next year like how will it affect Parise's future with the Devils?
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