The New Jersey Devils have some important decisions to make this off season. However, the most important decisions are; finding a new head coach, re-signing Zach Parise, and drafting at the number four spot at the upcoming NHL entry draft. The New Jersey Devi’s organization must be careful as to their decisions because it will impact their franchise for years to come. The Devils and their fans do not expect the team to be in this position when the season began. The Devils were supposed to be in the playoffs and challenge for the Stanley Cup. The team was not supposed to finish in the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and then be drafting in the top five in the draft.
The New Jersey Devils started so poorly under new head coach John MacLean, that he was fired. He was replaced with Jacques Lemaire, who had retired at the beginning of the 2010-2011 season. The Devils had dug themselves such a deep hole to climb out in the first half of the season. Making a run at the playoffs took more time and effort than was left in the season. The Devils made a strong run climbing back within six points of the final playoff spot. Ultimately run out of gas during pivotal games down the stretch. While the Devils did not make the playoffs, they win in the NHL Draft Lottery allowing them to move into the number four spot in the NHL Entry Draft. The last time the Devils picked fourth was 1991. In that draft they selected Scott Niedermayer, a crucial building block on defense that guided New Jersey to three Stanley Cups. The player the Devils select in this year’s draft will not only to be able to play in the NHL this season, but will need to be able to play in the NHL for many years to come.
Even with the fourth pick in the draft,the Devils will need to select a quality and respected individual for their head coach for the season. The management and players must have confidence in person selected, and the players must believe in his system. The New Jersey Devils head coaching position has been more like a revolving door than a steady position. Since 1998, the Devils have made 12 coaching changes. These changes include general manager Lou Lamoriello stepping behind the bench on two occasions. New Jersey had seemed to solve that problem with Pat Burns who guided the team to its third Stanley Cup in 2003.Unfortunately he had to step down because of battles with cancer and ultimately losing his battle in 2011. The person they decide on must be defensive oriented but figure out a way to get goals from the offense. Some potential candidates for the job are; Ken Hitchcock, Michael Therien, Bob Hartley, Kirk Muller, and Mike Haviland.
Whoever the coach is going to be, will that person have Zach Parise be on the team when the season starts next season. Parise is a restricted free agent this off season. Meaning he can field offer from other teams, but the Devils can match that offer in order for him to stay. He is coming off knee surgery this past season, but is targeted by many teams. The Devils will file for arbitration with Parise sometime this week. Filing for team-selected arbitration would prevent Parise from fielding offer sheet from other team if he is still not signed by noon on July 1. Both parties feel disappointed that deal has not been done yet, but Parise knows the Devils have a lot on their plate besides signing him. But Lamoriello wanted to have this situation done before July 1, when Parise becomes a restricted free agent.
No matter what is in store for the Devils in the off season look for the Devils rebound next season. The Devils will look to build from the success of the second of half this season, but know they have work to do to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals.