Thu 12 Jul 2007
Louie Lams may have finally found his man.
The New Jersey Devils today announced the hiring on Brent Sutter, who replaces Lams behind the bench as head coach for the boys.
Yesterday, Sutter was relieved of his duties with his former team, the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League.
Brent will be the fourth Sutter to hold a head coaching position in the NHL, following brothers Brian (St. Louis, Boston, Calgary, Chicago), Darryl (Chicago, San Jose, Calgary), and Duane (Florida). Darryl currently holds a position as general manager of the Flames.
PATRICIA SAYS: Should be interesting. The boys certainly won’t take a more offensive approach towards the game with Sutter at the bench, but if he can keep our weak defense looking more like cheddar cheese rather than swiss cheese, I’ll be content.
NOTES: The Devils have signed winger Noah Clarke to a contract. In 13 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season, Clarke registered two goals and skated at a minus-six. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
As previously reported on 2MA, the Devils officially announced the re-signing of bruiser Cam Janssen. The (literal) Ranger Ryan Hollweg killer re-upped with the team for three years. Financial terms were not disclosed.
July 12th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
This is good. Sutter can help Parise become a 40 goal scorer, and make Zajak into even a larger threat. I like it. They were talking about this during the season last year also.
July 12th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Patricia…
You hear anything about Cam “The Man” Janssen? He’s reportedly getting $550,000 for next season. (www.nhlpa.com has this listed as his salary)
July 12th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Kelly –
Yeah, he was re-signed, but I didn’t really think it was all that newsworthy so I didn’t put it in the free agency blog.
I suppose I could have made a note, but honestly, I don’t see Janssen playing a big role with the boys next season. Especially with word that Rasmussen now MAY actually be retained and the likelihood of Clarkson and Pelley making the club (along with Viuhkola), I don’t see need for Cam on the team. Plus, Vishnevski is known to drop the gloves, so we do have a brawler if need be.
July 12th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I know, he’s just one of my favorite, all around guys. He’ll be back up eventually. He’ll be ready to kick Holleg’s behind.
July 12th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Cam will be needed for those games against the Rangers, when we steam roll that shrimp Gomez,and those little bastards will try to mix it up. Its gonna be hell playing against us this season!!!!!!!!!!!
July 12th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Souray is an Oiler, see sportsnet.ca
July 12th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
If you put Cam Janssen out against Scott Gomez, the last thing you will see is a hit or a fight. What you’ll realistically see is Gomez skating circles around Janssen and the Rangers scoring. It would be such a terrible idea throwing out Cam Janssen against any top line in the NHL.
I think he’ll still see some NHL time, but not on a consistent basis. There’s just way too much ahead of him on the depth chart, at least at this point.
July 12th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Patricia,
Who said we would put Janssen out against Gomez’s line???
I said when “We” (the Devils) steam roll Gomez, cause you know we’re all gonna get him back, except Pando.
And you know the Rangers will try to start something if we mess with their 10 million dollar man.Thats why and when we will need Janssen.
July 12th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Mike –
I think you’re going to be disappointed, because, no, the Devils will not be “getting Gomez back.”
The best revenge is on the scoreboard. They will not be headhunting Gomez.
July 12th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
I hope this happens, because of the frustration We as fans have been feeling due to recent events, it would nice to have a reason to not be so peeved at Loupolian. Having Him as coach should add the accountability factor that has been missing since Burns left. And I agree with You on the revenge thing as much as We may enjoy it, I don’t see any of the Boys going after Gomer, they have been thru way too much together and reguardless of which colors they wear now they still consider Him a friend.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
sutter will be a great coach!
yeah the devils won’t be hh’ing #23 but i gaurranty the new #23 won’t pass up a chance to lay the hurt on the galloping ghost…
July 12th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
hope this new head coach of ours is as good as he sounds…he’ll have to be if he wants to make it through at least one season. Gotta feel bad for Johnny Mac though…
July 13th, 2007 at 8:23 am
I like Cam, I like his intensity. But in today’s NHL, we can have Rupp throw down if need be, as will David Clarkson. Cam will be the 21st man on the roster each game. Rassy, as I think its time to let him go and let Cam play full time, Lou’s thinking of expanding his lines, rather than just suiting up a guy to play 3 min per game and spend 5 min in the box.
July 13th, 2007 at 9:38 am
Cam has just been re signed.
…And Souray has gone to Edmonton.
July 13th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Let’s just home the announcement comes soon and we don’t have to wait and roumors start like the Souray deal.
July 13th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Cam was signed for 3yrs
July 13th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Yay… Cam is the man!
July 13th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
I really don’t feel that bad for Johnny Mac. I don’t think you want a guy with a few years assistant coaching experience in charge of this team. When Sutter’s gone, Johnny Mac will be next in line (assuming he isn’t poached by a more desperate team in the meantime). I’m comfortable with Sutter as coach, he doesn’t have the NHL head coaching experience, but he has a winning pedigree, particularly with the young guys. I think he’ll have Zack & Zajac performing at their peak much sooner than Johnny could have.
July 14th, 2007 at 12:16 am
haha i went to sportsnet.ca and saw a pic of sutter in a news conference with lou, and lou’s got this big ol’ grin on his face. it was just surprising to me I guess; I never see him turn that frown.
July 14th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Great addition to the family. Can anyone say new GM in a few years? I betcha that’s why he tabbed him over our beloved # 15. Lou will probably keep Pres/CEO titles and let Sutter handle the GM duties.
July 14th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
I think that if Johnny Mac was Head Coach, and things didn’t work out Lou would have to fire Him, I also think that He likes Johnny Mac way too much to do that, so He did not want to put Him in that position, remember when He was traded, the fans went absolutely nuts and wanted Lou’s head on a platter, ( He and Capt’n Kirk have always been and will always be My all time Fav Dev’s )and I know that I’m not alone in that. Maybe with a hard A$$ coach Maddon will find His intensity and let Maddog return. Now Lou can focus on getting Zach Attack locked down long term.
July 14th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I don’t see Mac as a head coach. He’s too much of a player’s player type of guy, and that doesn’t always translate into a good head coach. He makes a fantastic assistant, but there are those who really are better suited as assistants as opposed to running the whole show.