In recognition of the Devils’ 40th anniversary season, The Post selects the top 40 players in franchise history. Contributions during big moments and to the triple Stanley Cup era, in which the Devils turned 16W on the Turnpike into the Exit of Champions, were given greater weight than career compilers. Second of a two-part series.
This young man in a hurry was on his way to 50 goals this season before a midseason injury slowed down his ascent. The most talented and electric player in franchise history at age 21, with a chance to eventually bust into a sacrosanct Top Five. A Cup or two would be necessary.
Marvelous player who brought his Montreal pedigree with him and thrived during the runs of 1994 and 1995. Obtained in the deal for Kirk Muller and far more responsible without the puck than generally credited, Richie Boy was a dynamic goal-scorer with flair who recorded 126 in 277 games his first four seasons in New Jersey.
For a brief shining moment, there was Camelot, Arnott combining with A Line wings Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora to produce one of the great forward units of the post-WHA era. Big, imposing, with an outstanding shot and remarkable chemistry with his linemates, the 2000 Cup-winning, double-overtime goal he scored from in front during Game 6 at Dallas represents one of the franchise’s signature moments.
It was almost seismic, the 2002 pure hockey trade in which the Devils shipped Cup-winning stalwarts Arnott and Randy McKay to Dallas for Langenbrunner and Joe Nieuwendyk, two of the Stars’ 1999 Cup champs who had faced New Jersey in the final a year later. Langenbrunner was a driving force in 2003, just the kind of two-way player with an edge the organization coveted.
Magical on the wing when on the rush, creative and dangerous with the puck, could snipe about as well as anyone. Made sweet music with separated-at-birth hockey brother Patrik Elias — supernatural chemistry shared — and big Arnott in the middle. Recorded a total of 19 goals and 39 points in the 2000 and 2001 playoffs. Played his rookie season at age 19, recording 18 goals and 42 points in 1995-96, wound his way back (as so many who played for Lou Lamoriello) to complete his career with a 21-goal season at age 35 in 2011-12. Eighth on the all-time list with 166 goals.
Fulfilled every expectation when nabbed at 17th overall in the glittering 2003 draft. A scorer, a grinder and a leader by example, had he stayed rather than leaving to go home to Minnesota as a free agent following the 2012 finals, he’d surely be in line to have his No. 9 retired. Recorded 45 goals (and 49 assists) in 2008-09 during the midst of a four-year run in which the left wing notched 146 goals.
Sneering, domineering, intimidating, outrageously outspoken and one of the team’s singular weapons during the first two Cup runs, he graduated from the middle of the Crash Line to become a 200-foot threat. Had the 2001 Conn Smythe at his fingertips until the Devils unaccountably let a repeat slip through their hands. Took Mats Sundin out of the equation in 2000 second round that ended with the famous Six-Shots-Against Game 6 at the Meadowlands. Tied with Travis Zajac for third on the franchise list with 202 goals, the last four of which came during a 2008-09 encore that was the equal to the worst of Mogilny II and Malakhov II, combined.
The best center in franchise history. Could transport the puck from one end to the other as well as anyone in the league. The only Devil ever to lead the NHL in an offensive category, with 56 assists in 2003-04. Creative, quick and with great vision, was coached up to the max by Pat Burns leading to the 2003 Cup run. Cocky and felt that he might have been suppressed by the Devils’ system. He was not and learned quickly that life was not necessarily the same on the other side of the Hudson.
If you squint while watching Adam Fox weave magic for the Rangers, you might see this No. 28 in a Devils uniform. Undersized, but brilliant in orchestrating offense from the back end and in directing the power play. Michigan-born righty was an integral part of New Jersey’s formidable Big Three with the Great Scotts, Stevens and Niedermayer, after he signed as an undrafted free agent following four seasons in Europe.
Had the Devils kept No. 22 instead of ushering him away following the 2000 Cup championship to which he was a mighty contributor after being reacquired mid-season, they would not have frittered away the chance of a repeat and would be remembered as a powerhouse. As good a money-player as ever has laced them up and an agitator despised by just about everybody on the other side. Won the Conn Smythe in 1995 after bringing his relentlessness (well, not always in the regular season) to New Jersey from Montreal in a 1990 deal for Sylvain Turgeon. Was sent away, following the first Cup, of his own accord in the midst of the most publicly bitter contract dispute with Lamoriello in franchise history.
It is a hockey crime that No. 15 does not have a place of honor at the top of The Rock. As great a goal-scorer who has ever worn the logo, his NHL career total of 413 and his New Jersey total of 347 goals would have been increased by 75-to-100 if not for the serious knee injury he incurred in a 1991-92 exhibition game that cost him the entire season coming off a three-season run in which he scored 42, 41 and 45 goals, respectively, from 1988-89 through 1990-91. Man of the hour in Chicago on Easter Sunday in 1988. Second all time with 347 goals and 701 points. Get that man’s sweater to the rafters.
As unselfish a great player as you have ever seen, sacrificed bigger offensive numbers to become an irreplaceable cog in the Devils’ machine. Dynamic with Sykora and Arnott, a brilliant playmaker whose feed out of the corner for Arnott’s 2000 Cup winner in Dallas was just another play for No. 26. As good on the defensive side of the puck as he was with it. Moved from the wing to center the final half-dozen or so years of his career to fill an organizational need. All-time franchise leader with 408 goals, 617 assists, 1,025 points while second with 1,240 games played. Hall of Famer in waiting.
The joke during the Jacques Lemaire years was that the coach would instruct the brilliantly gifted defenseman to dump it in on a penalty shot. The elite skater, who never seemed to be caught up ice even after leading the rush, was the yin to Stevens’ yang on the blue line. Went end-to-end midway through the third period to tie Game 2 of the 1995 final in Detroit for the signature goal of his career. Had a temper, as Peter Worrell (among others) can attest. Hall of Famer who won the Norris his final season in New Jersey in 2003-04.
There is a reason Brodeur’s Victory Pose Statue stands outside the Rock. The all-time NHL leader in wins compiled 688 of his total 691 with the Devils. Won four Vezina Trophies, the last at age 35 in 2007-08. One of the greatest goaltending puck-handlers of all time, his ability to range out of the crease and move the puck out of harm’s way saved his defensemen from absorbing multiple hits. He is the reason for the trapezoid. Played 78 games in 2006-07 and 70 or more games 12 times. Had a unique style and flair, master of the two-pad stacked save. Check out the spectacular save on Dale Hawerchuk with 13.3 seconds to go that preserved the 2-1 Game 7 victory of the 1994 first round. Scored a goal in 1997 playoffs against Montreal. Robbed of the Conn Smythe in 2003 after posting three shutouts in the seven-game final victory over Anaheim and seven shutouts overall with a .934 save percentage and 1.65 goals-against average for the playoffs.
The Captain served as the epitome of what it meant to be a Devil. Led by example in establishing the hard-edged, disciplined, physically intimidating tone that marked the championship era. Dominated the 1995 and 2000 playoffs while shutting down one premier forward after another. Surely hastened his own retirement, which came a year later, by returning after missing only one game in the second round of the 2003 title run after being struck in the side of the head by a screaming slap shot off the stick of Pavel Kubina. Delivered a famous (or, infamous) series of shattering open-ice, postseason hits that were legal at the time and destroyed multiple opponents, from Slava Kozlov (“You’re next,” Dino Ciccarelli) to Eric Lindros to Shane Willis to Ron Francis to Paul Kariya. Had been an outstanding offensive defenseman through the first part of his Hall of Fame career, and indeed holds the franchise record for assists in a season with 60 (with 18 goals) in 1993-94. The next statue outside the Rock should be of Stevens hoisting the Cup.