1996–97 New Jersey Devils season

The 1996–97 New Jersey Devils season was the team's 15th in the National Hockey League since the franchise relocated to New Jersey. The Devils captured the Atlantic Division title and finished first in the Eastern Conference, but fell in the second round of the playoffs to their arch-rivals, the New York Rangers.

1996–97 New Jersey Devils
Atlantic Division champions
Division1st Atlantic
Conference1st Eastern
1996–97 record45–23–14
Home record23–9–9
Road record22–14–5
Goals for231
Goals against182
Team information
General ManagerLou Lamoriello
CoachJacques Lemaire
CaptainScott Stevens
Alternate captainsJohn MacLean
Ken Daneyko
ArenaContinental Airlines Arena
Team leaders
GoalsJohn MacLean and Bill Guerin (29)
AssistsBobby Holik (39)
PointsBobby Holik (62)
Penalty minutesLyle Odelein (110)
Plus/minusDave Andreychuk (+38)
WinsMartin Brodeur (37)
Goals against averageMartin Brodeur (1.88)

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority was contractually obligated to install a new US$600,000 sound system in Continental Airlines Arena prior to the start of the season.[1]

Offseason

The Devils' head coach Jacques Lemaire expressed his disappointment following the team's loss to the Ottawa Senators in the final game of the 1995–96 season, the first time since 1970 that the defending Stanley Cup champion missed the playoffs in the following season. Lemare was quoted as saying that the team lacked confidence. He also felt that the media, the fans, and some players, misread his commitment to defensive hockey as a detriment to offensive creativity, stating that he never stopped his players from being creative in the offensive zone. He ended up needing to repair his relationship with Devils team captain Scott Stevens due to his comment following the Ottawa game that the team suffered from a "lack of leadership". Stevens reportedly saw the remark as a personal attack, and so himself and Lemare ended up sitting down together in order to discuss the comment. Lemare later stated to the media that the remark was intended to be an indictment of the entire team, himself included.[2]

The 1996 NHL free agent market officially opened on July 1, 1996, following the passing of the June 30 deadline for teams to file contracts with the league. The largest name to become a free agent on July 1 was Wayne Gretzky, who was released from the St. Louis Blues after the team failed to reach an agreement with Gretzky's agent. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Phoenix Coyotes and New York Rangers (who eventually signed him) were reported to have expressed interest in signing Gretzky, but New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters Gretzky did not fit with the team's financial plan. Lamoriello did express a desire to retain Phil Housley, an offensive-minded defenseman who was acquired by the Devils late in the 1995–96 season but who had been released by the team after failing to be signed prior to the deadline.[3] The Devils were unable to sign Housley though, who signed a US$7.7 million three-year deal that included a no-trade clause with the Washington Capitols on July 22, 1996. Lamoriello stated that the team didn't want to make a long term offer, and would not consider a no-trade clause. He reportedly felt that Housley's previous $2.2 million salary was "astronomical".[4]

Speculation the Devils would trade for all-star center Jeremy Roenick, 26 years old at the time, began following the Ranger's signing of Gretzky. In late August, Lou Lamoriello confirmed to the media he was attempting to bring Roenick, a restricted free agent, to the Devils via a trade. Any team signing Roenick out from the Phoenix Coyotes would be required to give the Coyotes five first-round draft picks in compensation, and Lamoriello was quoted as saying, "I have no intentions right now of giving up draft picks."[5] Rumors were reported in the media that Lamoriello considered dealing forwards Bill Guerin, Brian Rolston, Mike Peluso and defenseman Scott Niedermayer for Roenick.[6] Reports the next day reiterated Lamoriello's interest in Roenick, both for the Devils and as a player for Team USA, also included the possibility of including Stephane Richer in a potential trade.[7] However, Richer was traded back to the Montreal Canadiens the following day in exchange for 28-year-old Lyle Odelein, whom the Devils immediately signed to a three-year contract at approximately $1.5 million per season.[8] Roenick eventually signed with the Coyotes, despite interest from the Devils and Capitols, among others.

Amid rumors that the Devils were interested in dealing with the Detroit Red Wings for hold-out center Keith Primeau, Devils center Bobby Holik did not show up to training camp in what was described as a surprising decision on his part to not report to the team. Speculation among teammates and the media was that he wanted a trade.[9] Neal Broten, who was considering retirement at the time, and Mike Peluso, who had been benched by Lemaire during the 1995–96 season and thought that he would be traded over the summer, did report to training camp along with 60 other players. Several regular players who were involved with the 1996 World Cup of Hockey tournament were scheduled to report to camp late.[10]

Draft

The New Jersey Devils were 10th[11] in order of selection at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, held June 22, 1996, in St. Louis. In a move interpreted to be an affirmation of their commitment to a defense-first philosophy, the Devils chose 6–3, 195-pound Lance Ward of the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels, who had not been ranked anywhere near the tenth seed to observers, with their first pick.[12]

"I was a bit surprised to go early because there are a lot of great players [here], but I'm a pretty happy kid right now," Ward said. "I was hoping to go in the first round but you never know what's going to happen. It was a pretty open field and I guess [the Devils] liked me. They flew me to Toronto for a physical test and an interview [last month] and I guess I did well." Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello was impressed with Ward's potential to be yet another hard-hitting New Jersey defenseman, stating, "We liked [Ward's] potential as far as his upside is concerned," Lamoriello said. "We have guys like Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko on our team and this young man [is like them]. He's strong now, he's mean, and he's got skills."[12]

During the draft, the Devils traded backup goaltender Corey Schwab to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for their backup goalie Jeff Reese along with their second-round (47th overall) and eighth-round (198th overall) picks in the draft. The Devils then traded their original second round pick (28th overall) to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for the Penguins' two second-round picks (41st and 47th overall).[12]

Rd # Pick # Player Nat Pos Team (League) Notes
1 10 Lance Ward  Canada D Red Deer Rebels (WHL) [Draft 1]
2 38 Wes Mason  Canada LW Sarnia Sting (OHL) [Draft 2]
2 41 Josh DeWolf  United States D Twin Cities Vulcans (USHL) [Draft 3]
2 47 Pierre Dagenais  Canada LW Moncton Alpines (QMJHL) [Draft 4]
2 49 Colin White  Canada D Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) [Draft 3][Draft 5]
3 63 Scott Parker  Canada RW Kelowna Rockets (WHL) [Draft 6]
4 91 Josef Boumedienne  Sweden D Huddinge IK (Allsvenskan)
4 101 Josh MacNevin  Canada D Vernon Vipers (BCJHL) [Draft 7]
5 118 Glenn Crawford  Canada LW Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
6 145 Sean Ritchlin  United States RW University of Michigan (CCHA)
7 173 Daryl Andrews  Canada D Melfort Mustangs (SJHL)
8 199 Willie Mitchell  Canada D Melfort Mustangs (SJHL)
8 205 Jay Bertsch  Canada RW Spokane Chiefs (WHL) [Draft 4][Draft 8]
9 225 Pasi Petrilainen  Finland D Tappara (SM-liiga)

Notes

  1. Never reported for the Devils; was subsequently redrafted by Florida in the third round (63rd overall) of the 1998 Draft.
  2. The Devils acquired the 1996 second-round pick (Mason) from Vancouver for Esa Tikkanen on November 23, 1995; Tikkanen had been acquired from St. Louis just 22 days earlier.
  3. The Devils acquired two 1996 second-round picks, DeWolf (originally Toronto's) and White, from Pittsburgh for San Jose's 1996 second-round pick (used on Pavel Skrbek) on June 22, 1996. The Devils had originally received the pick from San Jose in exchange for Chris Terreri on November 15, 1995.
  4. The Devils traded Corey Schwab to Tampa Bay in exchange for Jeff Reese, Chicago's 1996 second-round pick (Dagenais), and Tampa Bay's 1996 eighth-round pick (Bertsch), on June 22, 1996.
  5. Although the Devils made four picks in the second round of the 1996 Draft, none were originally their picks; the Devils' original pick (used on Marek Posmyk) was traded to Toronto in exchange for Dave Andreychuk on March 13, 1996.
  6. Parker never reported for the Devils; he was subsequently redrafted by Colorado in the first round (20th overall) of the 1998 Draft.
  7. No source exists to indicate why the Devils made two selections this round.
  8. Bertsch had previously been drafted by Quebec in the eighth round (191st overall) of the 1994 Draft.

Regular season

During the regular season, the Devils allowed the fewest goals (182), the fewest power-play goals (28), took the fewest penalties (235) and had the best penalty killing percentage (88.09%) in the league. Coincidentally, they also had the fewest power-play goals (40) and the fewest short-handed goals (4) in the league.[13] Devils goaltenders combined to record 12 shutouts, the most in the NHL and 5 of those shutouts came in the final 10 games of the season.[14][15]

Final standings
Atlantic Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
11New Jersey Devils82452314231182104
23Philadelphia Flyers82452413274217103
34Florida Panthers8235281922120189
45New York Rangers8238341025823186
59Washington Capitals823340921423175
611Tampa Bay Lightning8232401021724774
712New York Islanders8229411224025070
Eastern Conference[16]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1New Jersey DevilsATL82452314231182104
2Buffalo SabresNE8240301223720892
3Philadelphia FlyersATL82452413274217103
4Florida PanthersATL8235281922120189
5New York RangersATL8238341025823186
6Pittsburgh PenguinsNE823836828528084
7Ottawa SenatorsNE8231361522623477
8Montreal CanadiensNE8231361524927677
9Washington CapitalsATL823340921423175
10Hartford WhalersNE8232391122625675
11Tampa Bay LightningATL8232401021724774
12New York IslandersATL8229411224025070
13Boston BruinsNE822647923430061

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs

Schedule and results
# R Date Score Opponent Record
1WOct 5, 19963–1Detroit Red Wings1–0–0
2LOct 7, 19961–3@ Philadelphia Flyers1–1–0
3LOct 12, 19962–4Dallas Stars1–2–0
4WOct 15, 19963–2Montreal Canadiens2–2–0
5TOct 18, 19962–2 OTOttawa Senators2–2–1
6LOct 19, 19962–6@ Hartford Whalers2–3–1
7WOct 24, 19963–1San Jose Sharks3–3–1
8WOct 26, 19964–1@ Tampa Bay Lightning4–3–1
9LOct 29, 19962–5@ Boston Bruins4–4–1
10LOct 30, 19961–6New York Rangers4–5–1
11WNov 2, 19962–1Tampa Bay Lightning5–5–1
12WNov 6, 19962–0@ Detroit Red Wings6–5–1
13WNov 7, 19964–2@ Chicago Blackhawks7–5–1
14WNov 9, 19964–0New York Islanders8–5–1
15WNov 12, 19963–2 OTWashington Capitals9–5–1
16LNov 14, 19960–3Vancouver Canucks9–6–1
17WNov 16, 19966–3Tampa Bay Lightning10–6–1
18WNov 19, 19962–1@ Ottawa Senators11–6–1
19LNov 22, 19961–5Washington Capitals11–7–1
20LNov 23, 19963–4@ Washington Capitals11–8–1
21WNov 27, 19963–2@ Dallas Stars12–8–1
22LNov 28, 19963–4 OT@ Phoenix Coyotes12–9–1
23LNov 30, 19961–2@ Colorado Avalanche12–10–1
24WDec 3, 19962–0Florida Panthers13–10–1
25WDec 5, 19962–1Calgary Flames14–10–1
26LDec 7, 19963–4 OTPhoenix Coyotes14–11–1
27WDec 10, 19965–2@ Toronto Maple Leafs15–11–1
28WDec 12, 19967–4@ Boston Bruins16–11–1
29TDec 14, 19963–3 OTMontreal Canadiens16–11–2
30WDec 16, 19965–0@ Calgary Flames17–11–2
31WDec 18, 19962–1@ Vancouver Canucks18–11–2
32WDec 20, 19963–2@ Edmonton Oilers19–11–2
33TDec 23, 19960–0 OTBuffalo Sabres19–11–3
34LDec 26, 19961–4@ New York Islanders19–12–3
35WDec 28, 19965–3Mighty Ducks of Anaheim20–12–3
36LDec 31, 19965–6@ Buffalo Sabres20–13–3
37LJan 2, 19971–6Pittsburgh Penguins20–14–3
38WJan 3, 19971–0@ Ottawa Senators21–14–3
39LJan 5, 19973–5St. Louis Blues21–15–3
40TJan 8, 19971–1 OTColorado Avalanche21–15–4
41TJan 10, 19973–3 OTChicago Blackhawks21–15–5
42LJan 12, 19970–3@ New York Rangers21–16–5
43WJan 14, 19974–2Boston Bruins22–16–5
44WJan 21, 19974–1@ Los Angeles Kings23–16–5
45LJan 22, 19971–3@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim23–17–5
46WJan 24, 19973–1@ San Jose Sharks24–17–5
47TJan 29, 19971–1 OTOttawa Senators24–17–6
48TJan 31, 19973–3 OTToronto Maple Leafs24–17–7
49TFeb 1, 19974–4 OT@ Montreal Canadiens24–17–8
50WFeb 5, 19974–1New York Islanders25–17–8
51TFeb 7, 19972–2 OTFlorida Panthers25–17–9
52WFeb 8, 19974–2Philadelphia Flyers26–17–9
53WFeb 12, 19973–2@ Hartford Whalers27–17–9
54WFeb 13, 19974–0Hartford Whalers28–17–9
55WFeb 15, 19974–1@ Montreal Canadiens29–17–9
56TFeb 17, 19972–2 OT@ New York Rangers29–17–10
57TFeb 19, 19971–1 OTNew York Rangers29–17–11
58TFeb 20, 19972–2 OT@ Florida Panthers29–17–12
59LFeb 22, 19971–3@ Tampa Bay Lightning29–18–12
60WFeb 26, 19975–3@ New York Islanders30–18–12
61WFeb 27, 19974–1Buffalo Sabres31–18–12
62WMar 1, 19976–3Pittsburgh Penguins32–18–12
63WMar 4, 19973–1@ Pittsburgh Penguins33–18–12
64WMar 5, 19973–1@ Philadelphia Flyers34–18–12
65LMar 8, 19971–5@ New York Islanders34–19–12
66WMar 9, 19974–1@ Buffalo Sabres35–19–12
67WMar 11, 19976–1Edmonton Oilers36–19–12
68WMar 13, 19976–0Hartford Whalers37–19–12
69WMar 15, 19973–2Washington Capitals38–19–12
70LMar 17, 19971–4Florida Panthers38–20–12
71TMar 19, 19972–2 OT@ Washington Capitals38–20–13
72WMar 22, 19973–2@ Pittsburgh Penguins39–20–13
73LMar 25, 19973–4Philadelphia Flyers39–21–13
74WMar 27, 19974–0New York Rangers40–21–13
75WMar 30, 19975–2Los Angeles Kings41–21–13
76WApr 1, 19971–0@ Washington Capitals42–21–13
77WApr 4, 19973–0Tampa Bay Lightning43–21–13
78WApr 6, 19972–0@ St. Louis Blues44–21–13
79TApr 8, 19972–2 OT@ Tampa Bay Lightning44–21–14
80LApr 9, 19972–4@ Florida Panthers44–22–14
81WApr 11, 19972–0Boston Bruins45–22–14
82LApr 13, 19974–5@ Philadelphia Flyers45–23–14

Playoffs

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

(E1) New Jersey Devils vs. (E8) Montreal Canadiens

In the first game of the series against Montreal, on April 17, 1997, with the Devils up by two goals late in the game, Martin Brodeur fired the puck the length of the ice and into the Canadiens' empty net to ensure a 5–2 victory. It was only the second time in NHL history that a goaltender had scored in the playoffs, and the fifth time overall.[17] In the game 2, the Devils were victorious by a score of 4-1. Games three and four were played at Molson Centre. The Devils won game 3 6-4. However, in game 4, Montreal was victorious by a score of 4-3 in the third overtime. Game 5 shifted back to New Jersey where the Devils shut out Montreal 4-0 and won the series 4-1.

Eastern Conference Semifinals

(E1) New Jersey Devils vs. (E5) New York Rangers

The series opened at the Meadowlands. The Devils won 2–0 in Game 1, but New York got revenge in Game 2 by winning 2–0 on their own. Games 3 and 4 were played at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers won Game 3, 3–2, and Game 4, 3–0. Game 5 was back at the Meadowlands. New York won 2–1 in overtime and the series four games to one on a wraparound goal by Adam Graves.

Media

This was the final season of television broadcast coverage on SportsChannel New York as the channel would rebrand itself to Fox Sports Net New York the following season.

Player statistics

Regular season
Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG
Bobby HolikC822339625424506
Dave AndreychukLW822734614838412
John MacLeanRW802925544911506
Bill GuerinRW8229184795-2709
Brian RolstonC/RW81182745206223
Valeri ZelepukinLW7114243836-10302
Scott NiedermayerD815303564-4303
Steve ThomasLW57151934469102
Denis PedersonC/RW70122032627303
Randy McKayRW779182710915002
Scott StevensD79519247026001
Steve SullivanRW3381422149202
Doug GilmourC2071522227200
Shawn ChambersD73417211917100
Bobby CarpenterC6241519146010
Lyle OdeleinD793131611016102
Jay PandolfoLW4668146-1001
Ken DaneykoD772797024000
Dave EllettD2025762101
Kevin DeanD2824662000
Patrik EliasLW172352-4000
Sergei BrylinLW2922420-13000
Martin BrodeurG6704480000
Reid SimpsonLW27044600000
Jason SmithD5712338-8000
Petr SykoraRW191234-8000
Peter ZezelC1803344000
Mike PelusoLW20022680000
Pascal RheaumeC210101000
Neal BrotenC30110-1000
Mike DunhamG2600020000
Krzysztof OliwaLW10005-1000
Ricard PerssonD100000000
Jeff ReeseG300000000
Vadim SharifijanovLW200000000
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L T GA GAA SO SA SV SV%
Martin Brodeur3838673714131201.881016331513.927
Mike Dunham101326871432.552456413.906
Jeff Reese1393020135.6106552.800
Team:4990824523141762.121221541978.918

Playoffs
Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM PPG SHG GWG
John MacLeanRW104594211
Shawn ChambersD101676100
Scott NiedermayerD102466201
Brian RolstonC/RW104156120
Valeri ZelepukinLW83252101
Patrik EliasLW82354100
Bobby HolikC102354100
Lyle OdeleinD1022419100
Doug GilmourC1004414000
Scott StevensD100442000
Bill GuerinRW821318101
Bobby CarpenterC101232000
Dave EllettD1003310000
Randy McKayRW101120000
Steve ThomasLW1011218000
Martin BrodeurG101010000
Kevin DeanD11010001
Jay PandolfoLW60110000
Dave AndreychukLW10000000
Ken DaneykoD1000028000
Denis PedersonC/RW90002000
Reid SimpsonLW500029000
Petr SykoraRW20002000
Peter ZezelC200010000
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L GA GAA SO SA SV SV%
Martin Brodeur6591055191.732268249.929
Team:6591055191.732268249.929

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
      MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records

Awards
Regular Season
PlayerAwardAwarded
Martin BrodeurWilliam Jennings TrophyEnd of regular season
Martin BrodeurNHL Second All-Star Team - GoaltenderEnd of regular season
Scott StevensNHL Second All-Star Team - DefenseEnd of regular season

Nominations
Regular Season
PlayerAwardPlace
Martin BrodeurVezina TrophyRunner-Up

References
  1. Calabrese, Joe (June 1, 1996). "Handel warns: Delaware slots threat to N.J." The Star Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. Sports p. 43. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  2. Wentworth, Bridget (June 24, 1996). "Lemaire: We'll be ready Devils coach still can't pinpoint what went wrong in - `96". The Star Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. Sports, p. 56. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  3. The Associated Press (July 1, 1996). "The Great One to command great $". The Star Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. Sports, p. 42. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  4. Chere, Rich (July 23, 1996). "Housley signs with Caps". The Star Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. Sports, p. 53. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  5. Chere, Rich (August 20, 1996). "Devils want Roenick but they'll be picky about price". The Star Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. Sports, p. 65. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  6. Chere, Rich (August 21, 1996). "Devils bid: swap 4 for Roenick?". The Star Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. Sports, p. 73. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  7. Chere, Rich (August 22, 1996). "Lamoriello intensifies efforts to land Roenick". The Star Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. Sports, p. 49. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  8. Chere, Rich (August 23, 1996). "Goodbye, Richer Devils obtain Odelein in swap with Canadiens". The Star Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. Sports, p. 33. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  9. Chere, Rich (September 13, 1996). "Is Holik's absence tied to a desire to leave?". The Star Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. Sports, p. 54. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  10. Ross, Sherry (September 9, 1996). "none". New York Daily News. Sports, p. 65.
  11. "SPORTS". The Star Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. June 22, 1996. Sports, p. 40. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  12. Wentworth, Bridget (June 23, 1994). "Devils ' No. 1 pick a defensive one". The Star Ledger. Newswire. Sports, p. 4. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  13. https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1997.html
  14. https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/NJD/1997.html
  15. https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/NJD/1997_games.html
  16. "1996-1997 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  17. "Martin Brodeur - Facts". MartinBrodeur.net. Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
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