Brodeur has fond memories of playing for Lemaire, but would like to see the Devils' next coach continue what Sutter started

Although today was mostly about Martin Brodeur, who was honored by the General Assembly and the Senate at the New Jersey State House in Trenton today, the Devils are still in the middle of a coaching search, so I asked Brodeur about the talk that Jacques Lemaire might be coming back to coach the team.

Lemaire took over as the Devils  head coach before the start of the 1993-94 campaign-- Brodeur's first full season in the NHL. Together they helped the Devils capture their first Stanley Cup in 1995.

"He's a guy that I have a lot of respect for," Brodeur said. "He was the first guy to give me my chance to play in the NHL, so for me to see his name going around, there's a little smile on my face for that because I do have a relationship with him."

That said, Brodeur didn't endorse anyone as Brent Sutter's successor. He's staying out of the way while general manager Lou Lamoriello conducts his search, but also said he would like to see him hire a coach that would continue what Sutter started in changing to a more up-tempo, aggressive style and giving the team's younger players the opportunity to excel..

"I'm at a point where the decision, I know will be the right one," Brodeur said. "Like I've said in the past, I have a lot of faith in Lou and the hockey people that we have to bring in the right guy under the right circumstances. I thought we did some great things last year with some of the young players playing the way they played and my concern is to make sure that we don't stop there. We need these kids to continue to grow.

"It doesn't matter who the coach is to me. It won't change much and for the older players it won't change much. But it's for the kids, the future prospects and how they need to learn. Like I said, I'm anxious becuase that's what we do. I play hockey and it would be nice to know who is going to be the head of our team."

Brodeur said the style Sutter implemented helped the Devils, particularly the young players, progress as a team..

"Brent brought a system that helped these guys to be able to go in and gain more and be more active on the offensive side of the puck," Brodeur said ."It's something that we gained confiedence in doing that and, for us as a team, by doing that we showed ourselves that we're capable fo playing a certain way to compete with the top teams and we've just got to continue that way."

That doesn't sound like Brodeur is talking about a Lemaire return when you consider that Lemaire is known for his conservative, defensive style,

Would Brodeur like to see the Devils' next coach play the same, aggressive style Sutter used?

"Not necessarily to the T, but I think he brought a lot of good things," Brodeur said. "The guy was an excellent coach for us and it's too bad he had to leave. I guess it is what it is. We can't control that too much, so we're I'm looking forward to our new coach now."

Brodeur knows that Lamoriello has a lot on his plate right now with a coaching search, the draft coming up in eight days and free agency beginning in less than two weeks.

"The coaching makes a big difference in a hockey team and the way it's run," Brodeur said. "What's going to happen with the draft coming up, trades are coming up at the draft, there's a lot of things that Lou is going to have his hands full and I'm sure he'll try to make a decision as quick as possible."

***

I am on the train on the way back from Trenton to Newark right now. It was quite an entertaining afternoon at the State House and I had an opportunity to meet several fans. I appreciated the kind words about the blog. It's nice to know my work is appreciated.

I'll write more about the events in Trenton in a new post when I get back to Prudential Center.

.

Comments

[Louie u]

Exactly, no matter what coach the Devils have, as long as " the best goalie" in the world is in net, they will play a system complimentary to Marty's stats.

[RickyM2]

Wow, to hear Marty talk about "The Kids" its nuts, he's been a Devil for almost 20 years (drafted in 1990) He was a Devil before Parise was able to use the toilet!!!!

[Andrew]

funny how that works out.

[aarrgghhhh]

so, with this constant Lemaire campaign here, I guess TG is trying to tell us something.

[MikeR]

If you read between the lines, it sure sounds like Marty doesn't want Lemaire back.

[Speedz]

Zach Parise said a similar thing about the aggressive forechecking system on an article about him being the Lady Byng Candidate on the Devils website.

[Falcone]

I agree we need to move away from the def style and bulk up with some Off stars and make a strong push towards becoming that type of team.

[MoonDragn]

TG, Serach? First paragraph...

[TG]

This is far from a campaign. He's the name that's received the most mention because he's the only one who has talked. I already wrote last week a couple of times that I don't think bringing Lemaire back is the right move unless he's brought in to groom his successor.

That said, I couldn't ask Brodeur about other potential candidates because he's never played for any of them. Plus, as someone else pointed out, Brodeur's comments about Lemaire and the need to continue what Sutter started were very interesting for what he didn't say.

[AK47]

TG, after all this time I don't think that was necessary for you to understand(after you meet some fans) that everyone who reads your blog is very happy and glad that you are as a professional and busy men find time for us the fans to keep us updated and even share your opinion and answer questions.Thank you again for your work.

[momo from Brooklyn]

Yes TG thanks again for your time you dedicate to the fans. I am glad we have some English teachers on this blog who will always correct you TG if you make any grammar mistakes.No offence to MoonDragn.

[Tom]

Yes, TG, thank you very much for your work.

TG, have your reached out to Oduya or his agent for a comment on their contract talks with the Devils yet? Do you have the feeling with the cap most likely coming down and plently of teams without much money that LL is more likely to let guys get exposed to the free agent market so he doesn't outbid himself or do you think he is more likely to try to lock up guys early?

[Tom]

I took Brodeur's comment as more of a warning to Lemaire, like "You better not take away our offensive aggresiveness".

Personally the way we have run through coaches in the past 10+ years I am more concerned with locking up Oduya and adding to the defense via free agency. 2nd line center, while it would be great, is not that high of a priority for me.

[NWKDevilsFan]

Anyone take the train to Trenton today ? Was Marty there at the Senate ?

http://glocallynewark.com/2009/06/june-18-martin-brodeur-day

[RickyM2]

Jonny O is NUTS if he thinks he's getting 3.5 from any team with the cap going down this year and next (possibly). He's not a top line Dman on most teams. Sounds like Jonny O thinks he can get Salvadore's money without the experience. Sounds like a highball quote hoping to get 2.5

[mikeschoenf]

Ricky: Oduya will get 3.5 plus! Would anybody be interested in bringing Stevie Sullivan back? 3 Years 6 Mill?

[Brodie30]

So interesting that a goaltender wants his team to be more open as opposed to protecting him. It's sort of like, "just score me some goals". Patrick Roy used to berate players for leaving him stranded.

[TG]

I haven't spoken to Oduya or his agent, Don Meehan. Oduya would not give out his phone number (or even his e-mail) to anyone in the media after the season was over.

[modnarm]

Many have said that the Devils need to think about getting younger.

If Shanny retires, Holik and Havelid gone, Rupp gone.. and if Madden goes (or even if he stays).. we already have room for at LEAST 1 rookie starting. Thats not including PL3, OR Pelley (if he were to make the team).

I'll say the following with the premise that we keep Oduya.. at around 2-2.5, and keep Gionta.. between 3.5-4.

All i want is Nieds back and a center for that darn 2nd line. Does anyone think Niedermayer would come back to Jersey for one last go at it? My gut tells me he'd rather just stay put in Anaheim since they're just as good of a team as NJ.. . and the whole brother situation. But it would still be very nice to have him and White as our 2nd pair.

If not Nieds then i wouldn't mind gettin Barker or Babchuk to play next to Salvador. idk. Maybe Corrente is ready and we just focus on the offense..

What do u guys think about picking up Koivu for 3 years at 4-5 mil per season? Downside is his a bit injury prone and is listed at only 5'10 187lbs.. a very small line with Elias and Gionta.

OR.. what about Kessel? 6'0, 192.. YOUNG.. only 850k right now, he'd be awesome to pick up around 4-5 mil!

Bolland would be much cheaper than the previous and i'd be curious what he could do between Elias and Gionta. I doubt Chicago is going to let him go though. Downside is he's another small guy at 6'0 180.

Why not Cammalleri? Small and from what I've read.. BADDDD defensively. Some of us on here want a more offense style of play.. with Cammalleri's already bad backchecking, we'd be even more vulnerable. And he played mostly wing in Calgary and LA. Didn't show up in the playoffs.. doesn't seem to have much grit to contribute to Elias-Gionta. I'd rather pass on him and use the money for Koivu or Kessel, the latter who is really my top choice.

If we don't get a center for that line then i still think we should either keep Gio.. or sign Tanguay and hope for better output paired with Zubrus and Elias than Gionta put out.

If Lou doesn't want to spend then a steal would be Sykora. I mean how can that man NOT catch fire playing next to Elias. Yea the glory days were 7-10 years ago.. but they had somethin great that is probably still there. It would be unfair to expect "A-Line" output from them because 1. > Zubrus is NOT Arnott. and 2. > the 2nd line is supposed to be SECONDARY to the top line. If we expected the A Line, we'd literally be expecting a #1 line.. since thats what they were for us back then.

your thoughts.

[Will in Maine]

I could not have said it better myself. As long as Lou is on the same page as Brodeur I think we will be alright. WTF Datsyuk wining the Lady Byng... typical.

[AreJay]

I like Oduya and all, but he isn't that great. He's quick, but he isn't Mike Green. His offensive ability is limited.

If signing Oduya prevents us from upgrading our defense with better players, then you don't resign him. You can't. That's just overspending to keep the status quo.

As for Brodeur's comments, I'm glad he said them. He's the one player that has Lamoriello's ear for sure. This team isn't built to be a trapping team. Not anymore. I don't want to see the return of the brief Claude Julien era where the team just boxed themselves in front of Marty and were routinely outplayed and out shot.

Now, if Lemaire comes in and doesn't do that then whatever. But I don't think he's about ready to change his ways at his age.

[MikeR]

I respect Lemaire greatly, but it sounds like Marty was trying to send Lou a message.

[Jeff]

Bravo to Claude Julien the Lou cast off in humiliating fashion. First Place wasn't good enough for Lou.

All of you who think the Devils changed their style didn't watch the Carolina series. Stall vs Madden- Shanny and Pando all series long while Zach Parise took secondary ice time.

Devils played up tempo and kicked butt when Marty and Madden went down. Then went back to the same style in the playoffs and lost again for the 6th year in a row.

If Lemaire comes back you'll know Lou is lost in the past.

[Topshlf]

"It doesn't matter who the coach is to me. It won't change much and for the older players it won't change much. But it's for the kids, the future prospects and how they need to learn. Like I said, I'm anxious becuase that's what we do. I play hockey and it would be nice to know who is going to be the head of our team."

That doesn't look like Marty sending Lou a message about not wanting Lemaire.

It looks to me like a premise being created and pushed..

[Jeff]

More Lou blunders on display at the awards.

Claude Julien
Steve Sullivan
Kirk Muller
Guys he never got equal value back for along with Jason Smith, Sheldon Souray. Lets not forget UFA lost and never adequetly replaced Gomez, Rafalski, Neidermayer. Plus all the offensively skilled UFA who will never come here. Countdown to when Zach leaves too where his skill will be featured ahead of the checkers.

But we did sign Zubrus, Rolly, Holik, Shanny. Mogilny and Malakoff a second time even though they never played. Bryce Salvador and Niklas Havlid ( there's a couple of trade deadline difference makers)

Lou only wants to win with people whe have drunk the Lou Koolaid.

Its not the coach its Lou!