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Poll: Best New Jersey Devils Coach

I just was wondering what Devils coach Devils fans thought was the best over the teams' history. 

Now this isn't an easy contest.  You've got Jim Shoenfeld who got the Devils into the playoffs for the first time in their history and nearly led them to the Stanley Cup during that time.  But his overall record with the Devils was not good.  It was under .500.  So he probably isn't in the discussion, but he warrants a mention because he got the franchise over the hump.

In my opinion the only three that merit consideration are Jacques Lemaire, Larry Robinson and Pat Burns.  The three coaches who won Stanley Cups for the Devils.  Lemaire in 95, Robinson in 2000 and Burns in 2003.

Lemaire never had a record below .500 in his five years coaching the team.  He was the one where I believe the current legacy of greatness of the Devils began.

Larry Robinson took a team that was floundering in 2000 and brought it together.  His speech during the Philadelphia series helped spark the greatness comeback (at that time) in conference finals history.  He's also the only coach in Devils' history to lead the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals appearances.  He came basically within one game of winning two Stanley Cups for the Devs.

Pat Burns led the Devils to a Stanley Cup in his first year and might be coaching the team if his health issues never cropped up.  He had two fantastic regular seasons with the team.

Hopefully Brent Sutter gets up there at some point, but as of right now, the Mount Rushmore of Devils' coaches is Lemaire, Robinson and Burns.  I would vote for Lemaire simply because he's the one that brought the Devils to greatness.  The franchise that Lou Lamoriello wanted to model after the Montreal Canadiens got there because of the teachings of Lemaire.  But Robinson would be a close second if only because he came the closest to getting the Devils back-to-back Cups.

Poll
Who is the greatest coach in New Jersey Devils' history?
Jacques Lemaire
43 votes
Larry Robinson
22 votes
Pat Burns
13 votes

78 votes | Poll has closed

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I put this on the front page because I think it’s a good poll to have going on.

Note to readers/commenters: Make an interesting fan post, it’ll be moved up front. It’s that simple.

I’ll add my pros and cons for each guy later on.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Jan 22, 2009 6:30 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I voted for Lemaire, like most. I thought that he did the most for New Jersey and paved the way for future success. One might say that his system stayed in place until the Brent Sutter era. Robinson has stayed with us through many years helping defenseman come from mediocrity to actual nhl level defenseman and helped us have 2 hall of fame caliber defenders. Burns may be the best coach, he’s won many cups with many teams but unfortunately his health prevented him from doing more here.

by dsarch on Jan 22, 2009 11:25 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Lemaire
PRO: Established the Devils as contenders; helped implement a system that the entire organization bought into
CON: Wouldn’t adjust within said system after 1995. Did miss the playoffs in 95-96

Robinson
PRO: Took the Devils to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals; Inspired the 2000 Eastern Conference Final Comeback; a fantastic assistant on defense.
CON: Could not keep up momentum after 2001; literally couldn’t handle the job in 2005.

Burns
PRO: You thought Lemaire got the most out of a team, Burns guided an offensively punchless team to a 46-20-10-6 record and a Cup in his first year. Adjusted to the team, not the other way around.
CON: Well, the offense. Lockout and cancer cut short what could have been a long run as coach.

Personally, I’d pick Lemaire among these three because he helped greatly in taking the Devils up to some prime real estate and the organization decided to buy there and not rent, a wise decision (and an odd metaphor). I would have loved to see Burns run the team, but I understand that isn’t really an option anymore.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Jan 23, 2009 11:45 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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