Devils veterans experience deja vu as another coach leaves

Devils veterans experience deja vu as another coach leaves The players were as shocked as anyone.

But when the surprise of Jacques Lemaire's retirement began to wear off,Tarps there was the feeling of deja vu among Devils veterans.

"That's what me and Patty (Elias) were saying. We've been through almost all the same coaches," goalie Martin Brodeur said. "It's a lot. For a team that keeps its players for a long time, we're not keeping coaches for too long.

"The last two were kind of circumstances. Brent (Sutter) wanted to leave and Jacques wants to retire. And we had Larry (Robinson) who left us once."

Captain Jamie Langenbrunner was one of those taken by surprise.

"We were all surprised," Langenbrunner said.

Langenbrunner didn't always see eye-to-eye with Lemaire, but he did not want to discuss their relationship.

"This is not the time to talk about my relationship with him," Langenbrunner said, leaving an odd feeling hanging in the air. David Clarkson said he had no idea this was coming.

"I was shocked," the right winger said. "I don't think I expected that.Tarps I didn't think anyone did."

Not even Brodeur, who has seen general manager Lou Lamoriello's willingness to change coaches.

"I didn't see that coming. Jacques pays a lot of attention to the game. He showed it throughout the year and in the playoffs. That drive was there. It seems to be there, but he knows it better than anybody. You have to accept what he wants to do," Brodeur said.

"It's a shock. Shocks are coming by the dozen right now, I guess. Having a coach like him, I think we were in good hands. It just didn't work out."

It leaves the Devils having to adjust to another new coach.

"Definitely disappointing a little bit. I definitely had a fun season and didn't see that coming because of how enthused he was coaching us," Brodeur said. "Definitely for us it was kind of weird, especially with the last few years. There have been a lot of new coaches.

"We'll see. It's up to Lou now to see what's right to try to get this back on track. We do have the players. It's just a question of making the right call. It's been tough. The best coaches didn't really work out in the playoffs."

Even those who spent only a little time with Lemaire were stunned by his decision.

"He was one of the best coaches I ever played for," Ilya Kovalchuk said. "Everybody has so much respect for him. He deserves all the best. Whatever he decides to do, I wish him well. He's a great man."