The Mac Attack is Back

Vol I., No. 88

Devils news for June 17th, just a little more than one week after the Stanley Cup finish.  Lou Lamoriello has filled the biggest hole on the team, the one left by Jacques Lemaire's retirement. 

Johnny Mac (John Maclean) is the new head coach.  He has ascended from the Lowell (now Albany) Devils.  It is one or three years too late, but better late than never.

At the end of 2007, Maclean had been an assistant coach with the Devils for five years, but was passed over when Brent Sutter came in as head coach.  At the end of 2009, then-head-coach Brent Sutter remarked that Maclean (an assistant coach) was ready for the top spot.

The Devils obviously went another direction, and sent Maclean "down" to their AHL affiliate in Lowell.  There, he coached the little Devils to a 39-31 season, finishing in fourth place in the AHL Atlantic Division. That was an improvement over the prior year 35-36 record.

Maclean , #15, was always a fan favorite, during his 15-year stint with the NJ Devils.  He was the Devils all-time leading scorer until Patrik Elias finally eclipsed his mark on March 17, 2009.  He is promising a return to "Devils style hockey".

One interesting tidbit. Check out pictures of Lou Lamoriello and John Maclean (with his 2010 style hair).  From a distance, they look like twins.  Will they make the "separated at birth" intermission screens at the Prudential Center?  Only time will tell (but don't hold your breath).

Mac now has to prove he has what it takes to succeed behind an NHL bench. Some first tests will be how he assembles or retains his own set of assistant coaches.  Might he be able to lure former teammate Kirk Muller down from Montreal?  They also played together on the "Grumpy Old Men" line for the Dallas Stars. They have history together.

Hockey Rules.

PS Goaltender Jaroslav Halak will be wearing blue and gold next year.  The Canadiens have traded him to the St. Louis Blues.  There is French history in St. Louis, just upriver from Louisiana.  Say it like SANH LOOEY and you get the picture. Montreal has obtained the rights to two prospects in return and has opened a gap in their salary cap as well.