The Devils have scheduled a 1:30 p.m. conference call today to make "a major announcement."
It is expected that they will name a head coach at that time.
All signs point to Jacques Lemaire
This will be Lemaire's second stint as the team's head coach. He coached them from 1993-94 to 1997-98 and guided them to their first Stanley Cup in 1995.
Lemaire, who will turn 64 in September, coached the Minnesota Wild for the last nine years,but stepped down following the 2008-09 season.
According to a report from RDS in Canada, Lemaire's good friend Mario Tremblay will be joining him in New Jersey as an assiistant. Tremblay also was an assistant under Lemaire in Minnesota.
Looking for reasons to like this move. Anybody?
Posted by: Mike M | July 13, 2009 at 09:16 AM
TG,
do you have a source for this, or is this just speculating off the RDS report? (RDS being the least reliable of Canadian news sources IME)
Posted by: Triumph | July 13, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Don't like it
Posted by: jdr30 | July 13, 2009 at 09:17 AM
i wonder who it is
Posted by: Rob | July 13, 2009 at 09:19 AM
not a fan...
Posted by: Shimmy | July 13, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Lemaire laid the foundation on which the Devils won 3 Stanley Cups. He helped turn them from a mediocre hockey club to an elite oganization. The Devils are once again rebuilding and how better to help them with that process. The Devils defensive game needs to be retuned and with that their offense will become better.
Posted by: Zavior | July 13, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Was SO happy to see were FINALLY naming a coach this morning...but not so thrilled its going to be Lemaire. I dont hate the move but I just cant get excited about it. And do have some bad feelings about us going back to old wells that may be dried OUT. Of course I will give it a chance to work but am very skeptical. I wanted a young...up tempo Offensive coach. I dont really think Lemaire fits that bill. And again we will be looking for a new coach in 2 years.
Posted by: V | July 13, 2009 at 09:21 AM
finally, at least there will be a coach, like it or not on who it will be, so all the complainers can whine about something else
Posted by: Jersey Mike | July 13, 2009 at 09:23 AM
TG,
Will this be on Television.
Posted by: asdf | July 13, 2009 at 09:24 AM
Not a big fan of bringing back past player/coaches, but one thing about Lamoriello, its rarely who the media speculates.
Posted by: KenF | July 13, 2009 at 09:26 AM
What were the circumstances for Lemaire leaving the Devils the first time around??
Did he leave on his own? What was the reason for him leaving?
Posted by: tyler | July 13, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Tyler - he left on his own. If I recall, he thought, in the interests of the team, it was time for a change.
Posted by: Scott E | July 13, 2009 at 09:31 AM
My only worry if it is Lemaire, is that both Brodeur and Parise have stated they felt they needed a coach to continue Sutter's puck possession style. Would hate to see a minor mutiny on the team if things start going south...
Posted by: Drewr15 | July 13, 2009 at 09:33 AM
I agree with that point, but at the same time, Lou's a smart guy. If it does end up being Lemaire, Lou wouldn't have made the decision without first considering all of those factors (tension within the team, conflict in playing style, etc.)
Posted by: Terence T. | July 13, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Lemaire did a great job with the team his first time here. He didn't get the credit for making the Devils a perenial Cup contender. Lou got all the credit.
I love Lemaire but I don't think he is the right guy at the right time. The game has changed. Can he?
Posted by: Ester | July 13, 2009 at 09:47 AM
If it is Lemaire, I hope Johnny Mac gets to head coach at Lowell.
Posted by: MJM | July 13, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Hate the move and again it will be another short term coaching stint if he is the choice.
Posted by: devilsfan | July 13, 2009 at 09:56 AM
Why do I have a feeling it's just not going to play out so simply as Lou naming Lemaire as all signs have indicated to this point? I just have a hunch we're in for something a bit more unexpected.
Posted by: Kip Nicaragua | July 13, 2009 at 10:01 AM
We can argue about the selection later. But I think I can speak for everyone and say, 'we are happy to see that someone will be announced as the next head coach.'
If it would be on TV, which I highly doubt, I guess MSG+, right? But I'm sure it's not. Maybe we can tune into 660 WFAN or http://www.wfan.com
Posted by: Zorin | July 13, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Maybe NHL Network, I would listen to NHL on XM
Posted by: Ted Lindsey | July 13, 2009 at 10:06 AM
It's a big step back in terms of where the team could have been going, if the report is true.
Posted by: Mike | July 13, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Even if it is Lemaire I don't see the Devils going into some defensive shell of a team. Lemaire did that with the Devils because it worked back then, and he did it in Minnesota because outside of Gaborik and Brian Rolston the Wild never had much offensive talent to work with. I would imagine that whoever is named as head coach, likely Lemaire but we could be in for a surprise, will build on what this team has developed into identity wise.
Posted by: Neil S | July 13, 2009 at 10:10 AM
The Devils defense did pretty well statistically last season, but it was defensive brain cramps at the worst possible moments that led to the first round loss. A possible reason to bring in a defensive specialist?
Posted by: Peter | July 13, 2009 at 10:10 AM
This is a good move when compared to the other candidates. This guy can coach and manage a game.
Posted by: segundo | July 13, 2009 at 10:11 AM
WFAN will be talking about that exciting HR derby and either horse racing or golf. There is no way they talk about that weird Canadian sport called hockey.
Posted by: Major Tom | July 13, 2009 at 10:11 AM