Devils Advocate: Questions That Need To Be Answered

As the trade deadline approached, the New Jersey Devils were poised to make a deep playoff run and were considered a favorite to win the Eastern Conference. However, it only took the Carolina Hurricanes seven games and two shocking goals within 88 seconds of each other to crush the Devils dreams of Stanley Cup glory. Much has changed since then.  The team is now coached by former Jacques Lemaire after former coach Brent Sutter stepped down and was hired by the Calgary Flames.  Lemaire coached the Devils to their first championship in 1995. The team also lost important players via free agency.  Brian Gionta signed a huge contract with the Montreal Canadiens, and former Selke trophy winner John Madden signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. Perhaps the biggest question facing the Devils is, how can they replace those key players? Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello believes that the answers lie within.  On opening night of the 2008-09 season, the Devils were the olde...