Devils general manager Lou Lamoreillo is remaining tight-lipped about his search for a successor to Brent Sutter as the team's head coach. Lamoriello said today that there is "no news" to report on the coaching search.and that he doesnt know if he will hire someone before the NHL Entry Draft, which begins a week from Friday in Montreal.
"That shouldn't be interpreted either way," he said. "The draft does not have any significance to have somebody."
The draft is on June 26 and 27 and free agency begins on July 1, so if the Devils don't have a coach before the draft, does that mean they won't have one before free agency begins as well?
"I couldn't answer that," Lamoriello said.
Former Devils Jacques Lemaire said last week that he would likely make up his mind about whether he wants to coach or accept a position as a consultant (likely with Montreal) next week before the draft. That might be a factor in Lamoriello's timetable, but we'll have to wait and see.
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I asked Lamoriello if he anticipated making any moves with players during the buyout period, which began on Monday and ends at 5 p.m. on June 30 and he said, "I would not anticipate that."
More will be known about the salary cap number for 2009-100 after the NHLPA completes its meetings in Las Vegas on Friday and Saturday, but Lamoriello said knowing the exact cap number is not holding up his decisions as far re-signing free agents.
"Right now, we don't look at what the cap is," Lamoriello said. "We look at what we're capable of affording, staying in the realm of our organization."
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Just a reminder that Thursday is "Martin Brodeur Day" in New Jersey and I will be taking the train with some of you from Newark to Trenton for the festivities at the State House. I hope to report something from there, but I don't know at this point if I will have time or somewhere to work. If I don't, I'll write something when I get back.
Also, the NHL Awards Show is Thursday night in Las Vegas. Devils left wing Zach Parise is a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly play. Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, who has won the Lady Byng the last three years, and Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis are the other two finalists for the Lady Byng.
Former Devils coach Pat Burns, who is battling lung cancer, is schediuled to be one of the award presenters.
Dats is going to win the award.
The longer time goes on it seems more and more likely Lemaire will be coaching. Won't be such a bad thing.
Posted by: ScottyK | June 17, 2009 at 05:20 PM
I agree. He is smart enough to coach in any era. And in may light a fire under Rolston as well. It would be nice to see him scoring 30+ again.
Posted by: Brodie30 | June 17, 2009 at 05:41 PM
The longer Lou waits = Johnny Mac is passed over again.
Posted by: bobo | June 17, 2009 at 05:44 PM
I wouldn't mind Lemaire except for the fact that he would just be another short term coach. This team really needs some stability behind the bench. If Lemaire isn't sure if he wants to coach now, how will he feel in a year.
Sounds like Lou is sticking to an internal budget next year rather than the cap number. Could be a very disappointing free agent season for those who think Lou should be looking to free agency to fill holes.
Posted by: njhillbilly | June 17, 2009 at 05:46 PM
there's 9 days left till the draft, I don't see anyone except Lamaire. Someone who Lou could work with on the down-low on draft picks due to their past.
Posted by: RickyM2 | June 17, 2009 at 05:56 PM
Lamaire better not F with Parise!!! If he scores under 40 goals this season, its Lamaire's @SS!!!!!
Posted by: RickyM2 | June 17, 2009 at 05:59 PM
I would hate to see Lemaire back. His style is different from what the team has played recently and it would probably just be a step backwards. I would personally like to see Carbonneau or Haviland behind the bench.
Posted by: Merms | June 17, 2009 at 06:05 PM
Does anybody know if the ceremony honoring MB at the State House will be in TV?
Posted by: njd18sb | June 17, 2009 at 06:25 PM
I was thinking, completely random, do the Devils look at one of the Capitals AHL goalies? Varlamov did pretty good in the playoffs and the other guy did well in the Calder Cup. Would that be a good move? Just a thought
Posted by: Strac | June 17, 2009 at 06:39 PM
i dont understand why people would even want an offensive coach in new jersey. they arent going to change the philosophy and win us a cup by gettin nj to score 5 a night. this is lou lams organization and the system stays. a new coach would have to adjust to it, not the other way around. lemaire would be a good choice because a strict attention to deffense isnt to much of a stretch for him. then rolo says what he says about him...he comes in with respect from the vets already. good choice and i hope it happens.
as for the cap and the players coming back, im not guessing one bit. lou usually disapoints me if i set my wishes to high. im def excited to see whats happens though considering a lot of other teams arent run as well and will have to shed some players....we shall see
Posted by: slivedmb | June 17, 2009 at 06:50 PM
Laviolete's aggressive forecheck system fits perfect with the team and he knows Zach Parise is the man so next time we get into a game7, we wont try to match lines and leave parise on the bench. How stupid was that??Cant score from the bench..I love Madden in all but hes not one who should be playing all game.
Posted by: DrivinMeNutz29 | June 17, 2009 at 06:52 PM
slivedmb, you can't win a cup by trapping anymore. Lamaire's Wild team were always middle of the pack. Early playoff knockouts and they looked the same every year.
Posted by: mpf | June 17, 2009 at 06:57 PM
not true MPF. Pittsburgh traps when they have the lead and they won the cup
Posted by: Fitz | June 17, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Hello - Lemaire hasn't won anything in Minnesota. But Lou's style limits UFA and Coach's. If you're an available coach the fact that Claude Julien was fired while the team was in first place, doesn't make NJ a plumb job.
Lou's got to go ...his act is old and he hasn;t adapted to the new style.
Posted by: Jeff | June 17, 2009 at 08:43 PM
well just looking at the situation from a different side the devils are not very much an offensive team at the moment not that they are much of a defensive either but bringing in a coach who is all offense will conduse things and completely decrease the abilities of the defense you can build a great team on good defense but its questionable whether you can build a great team on average offense
Posted by: RG9 | June 17, 2009 at 08:57 PM
I failed to mention earlier that Pat Burns is slated to be one of the awards presenters Thursday in Vegas. I've added that info above. The awards show is scheduled to be telecast on Versus, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Posted by: TG | June 17, 2009 at 09:27 PM
@RickyM2
I'm sure Zach would gladly score Less than 40 goals under Lemaire and win a Cup than score 40+ goals and get knocked out in the 1st round of the playoffs again! And I know I will get slammed for this but if that isn't what he's about Zach can take a walk as far as I'm concerned.
Posted by: JPL | June 17, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Why is the Devils process in finding a new coach so freaking complicated? Whomever is hired will quit/be fired in two years anyway.
It would be nice to have somebody in place at least a week before the free agent frenzy begins. I'm sure anybody that is remotely interested in playing for the Devils would like to know if they are on the same page with the guy running the bench.
Posted by: Mugsy | June 17, 2009 at 10:52 PM
any more information you can give us about marty day?
i would hope that there's a decent crowd to support our number one player, if not, shame on us. He deserves it.
Posted by: Sean Glickman | June 17, 2009 at 10:57 PM
u guys calling for Lou's head are nuts and foolish. This season we were contenders for the Cup and could've definitely made it to the Conference Finals if not for .2 second goals.
Lou has brought us 3 cups in the 'old NHL' and has managed to keep us competitive.. not just in the 'new' NHL.. but after OUR CAPTAIN AND HEART, BALLS, SOUL OF THE TEAM RETIRED! Yea we lost Nieds.. can't keep everyone. Yea we lost Rafalski.. that was probably a bad move, but 6 mil at the time looked like a lot. BUT, we've drafted Parise and Zajac. Lou has KEPT ELIAS and Brodeur for probably their careers.
Lou opened up to a more aggressive forechecking style of Sutter for 2 seasons.
NOT EVERY GM is going to make perfect move after perfect move. Zubrus is really the only bad move. Rolston, if not for the ankle injury, would've had a completely different season.. and we wouldn't be downing his contract (THAT A BUNCH OF OTHER TEAMS WOULD'VE EASILY PAID). We have maintained a solid core, and Lou will make the right moves and we'll be contending for the Cup once AGAIN.
So please relax.
Lemaire wouldn't be the end of the world either. And i'm not set on Jonny Mac being our head coach. Based on what does everyone believe he would be great???
Lemaire, Carbo or Haviland or whatever his name is. I don't want Laviolette, sorry. His style never impressed me, even if they did manage to win a Cup.. EXCEPT for PARISE AND ZAJAC > THIS is an OLD team! They're not that fast. and u can't expect any young rookies to be playing SOLID up tempo hockey without leaving huge holes. I don't think it would be the best shift in style for this team to go up tempo, when 70% of the team can't really play that way proficiently.
Posted by: modnarm | June 17, 2009 at 11:02 PM
I feel like Parise might get the Byng. Who decides on that one? If it's the league they might give it to Zach because they are desperate for an American superstar.
Posted by: MW | June 18, 2009 at 01:33 AM
I am praying that they buy out Zubrus. What a waste of money and a roster spot...
Posted by: RoShaCla | June 18, 2009 at 05:19 AM
After reading Rolston's comments I have changed my mind about bringing Lemaire back. Think of all the young players that came up during Lemaire's tenure that have had solid career's. It's time for Pelley, Bergfors and Corrente to be given a legitimate shot and Lemaire can teach them the fundamentals that have made guys like Rolston into solid NHLers. I think Parise can thrive under Lemaire. Most of his goals come from him being gritty around the net and working hard not coasting up and down the left wing trying to look pretty. All in all I am cool with bringing the coach with the best tan back.
Posted by: TD | June 18, 2009 at 07:33 AM
TD,
Yah, well, hopefully they can absorb enough in 1 year, cause Lemaire (if he comes back) is merely a stop-gap coach. I hope he stays in the tanning bed and off the NJD bench.
And as far as Rollie, he's made his comments about Sutter and all this...all I know is he better not pull a Holik, spitting big words b4 the season and showing up and doing nothing again. He might have butted heads with Brent, but right now I see a guy that pulled the wool over Lou's head with that contract. New season, get that puck on net, Rollinator.
Posted by: Zorin | June 18, 2009 at 08:46 AM
You know, I saw an interview with Burns regarding the NHL awards, and IMO he looks a lot better than last time I saw him. I know he's still sick and all, but I was happy to see him looking like he's in decent condition.
Posted by: Martysbetter86 | June 18, 2009 at 08:48 AM