[Hockey News]

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Losing to the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference semifinals not only ended the New Jersey Devils' season, it ended an era.

Next season is expected to bring major changes - another new coach, a new arena in Newark and probably some different players.

While the Devils excelled in the regular season and many felt they had a chance to win a fourth Stanley Cup since 1995, the postseason was a disappointment. After struggling to beat Tampa Bay in six games in the opening round, second-seeded New Jersey was sent packing by the Senators in five games.

"Once you get a taste of the Stanley Cup, that's probably the most disheartening thing that you're not going to get the opportunity to raise it," said centre Scott Gomez, who led the Devils with four goals and 10 assists in the postseason. "You feel it belongs to you.

"That's what we play for. We fell short, there's no doubt about it."

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello will have to bear part of the blame. It was his decision to fire Claude Julien and to take over as coach with three games left in the regular season and the Devils in first place in the Atlantic Division.

His rationale was the Devils weren't ready for the playoffs. The switch didn't change that.

"I made the decision based on the facts that I had and I would make the same decision under the same set of circumstances," said Lamoriello, who also took over as coach during the 2005-'06 campaign. "I do not look back on the decision with any regret, nor would I do it over again based on the result."

Elimination by Senators marks ends of an era for Devils

[Lefty Noob]

So this articles threatening (promising?) major changes.

Step one has to be to fire Lamoriello, who completely botched the coaching situation.

Which players will be part of the fallout, you think?

[blazinsabrez61]

doesnt brodeur have to be close to retirement?
man, has he ben a force for this team
he has carried them a long way for such a long time
its gonna b a real disappointment if he leaves the NHL

[9korona]

jersey franchise is basically done once brodeur is done. i kinda wish he wouldn't retire

[blazinsabrez61]

i no!
for how hold he may b, hes still playing awesome
poor devils fans...and the team, for that matter

[9korona]

it'll be a real shame, unless the fans are loyal enuf to continue watch games while still praising marty

[blueandwhite]

First off, there is no way brodeur is leaving right now. I can't imagine he'd leave at this point - he's still too good. Whether it's ego or love of the game, players do not leave when they still have fight in them.
Second, who says jersey hockey is over? That's crazy - they are hockey nuts there - just because - say by some amazing incident Brodeur leaves - there will always be another hero to cheer on - there always is. And anyway, Jersey is not just brodeur. There are a pile of guys who are worthy of huge respect. I'm now a big Langenbrunner fan.
Now, i do think lamoriello needs to go - but seems when he speaks, he is the almighty ruler of the Devils - will that change?

[blueandwhite]

So after that discussion, it's made known today that Gomez is looking at free agency.
He's unrestricted in July, and wants to test his $$$ (worth) on the free market.
He got a $5 mill one year contract last year from the Devils last year after arbitration.
I think he's gone from jersey.
he had 13 goals and 47 assists in regular season - they expected more from him than that - but he had a great post season, with 4 goals and 10 assists.

[blazinsabrez61]

ok ok i no brodeur doesnt make the team
in fact, there rly r a lot of good players that make up the team
like gomez, elias, langenbrunner...but every1 knows about brodeur
hes ben the backbone of this foundation for so long
this is kinda a tangent, but has any1 ever seen that commercial on versus with the "great one" by gretzky and with messier in it i think? i prob counted brodeur at least 3 times in there. that just shows how great of a team the devils is (not that im a fan, but i have to give them credit)
hes carried them to 3 stanley cups and given them plenty of other chances to win (cuz every once in a whlie, another team can win the cup 2 )
no, its not all about brodeur
but a lot of it is