2010–11 New Jersey Devils season
National Hockey League season
The 2010–11 New Jersey Devils season was the 37th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11, 1974, and 29th season since the franchise relocated from Colorado prior to the 1982–83 NHL season .[ 2]
The Devils posted a regular season record of 38 wins, 39 losses and 5 overtime/shootout losses for 81 points, failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 1995–96 season , ending their 13-season playoff streak. This was the first time the Devils finished the season with a losing record since the 1990–91 season . Their 174 goals scored were the lowest ever amount for the Devils in a non-lockout shortened season.
Off-season
On April 26, 2010, Jacques Lemaire announced that he would retire from coaching.[ 3] John MacLean would become the 19th head coach in the franchise's history.[ 4] Adam Oates will be the assistant coach for the team for the 2010–11 season.[ 5]
On July 19, Ilya Kovalchuk re-signed with the Devils to a 17-year, $102 million contract. The contract was front-loaded with minimal payments in the last few seasons, when Kovalchuk would be in his 40s and unlikely to play. The deal was subsequently rejected by the NHL as a circumvention of the NHL collective bargaining agreement . The Devils stated after the NHL rejection that they would appeal the decision under the "collective bargaining agreement" process.[ 6] [ 7] National Hockey League Players' Association agreement concerning contracts over five years in length.[ 8]
Regular season
An injury to Bryce Salvador allowed the Devils to avoid a major trade before the start of the regular season. They opened their regular season at home on October 8 with a 4–3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars with only 20 players on the roster. Subsequent injuries to Anton Volchenkov and Brian Rolston , as well as a one-game suspension of Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond after a 7–2 loss to the Washington Capitals , dropped the roster size to 17. The team and management have been under scrutiny for the decision to dress as few as 15 men (and two goaltenders) as a result of having too few funds for an average-sized roster.
After an NHL-worst 9–22–2 start to the season, John MacLean was fired as head coach, and Jacques Lemaire, who had retired as the Devils' head coach in the off-season, was hired as interim head coach.[ 9]
Following the trade of captain Jamie Langenbrunner , the Devils managed an astonishing turnaround. After the start of the second half of the season, the Devils saw a dramatic increase in offensive production, in addition to the outstanding performance by backup goaltender Johan Hedberg . The Devils turned their record around from 10 to 29–2 on January 9 to 32–32–4 by March 12, with a point percentage of over 80% during their 22–3–2 stretch. Following a win against New York Islanders on March 12, the Devils found themselves six points out of the final playoff berth with a game in hand on the eighth-placed New York Rangers , and a hope of making the playoffs for a 14th consecutive season had been renewed among the fans. The team faded, however, finishing 12 points behind the Rangers.
With the injured Zach Parise missing 69 of the Devils' 82 regular season games, the team struggled offensively, finishing 30th overall in goals scored with just 171 (excluding three shootout-winning goals). They also finished 30th overall in power-play goals scored, with 34, and power-play opportunities, with 237. However, the Devils were the most disciplined team in the league once again, with only 241 power-play opportunities against, and they tied the Los Angeles Kings for the fewest power-play goals allowed with 40.[ 10] [ 11]
At the conclusion of the season, head coach Jacques Lemaire announced that he would not return to coach the Devils in the 2011–12 season .[ 12]
Playoffs
Following a 3–1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on April 2, the Devils were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 1996.
This season was Mike Emrick 's final season as the television play-by-play announcer for the New Jersey Devils since he moved to NBC Sports . Steve Cangialosi would replace Emrick the following year. However, Chico Resch continued to be a TV color commentator. Radio coverage was still on WFAN with Matt Loughlin and Sherry Ross .
Standings
Divisional standings
Conference standings
bold – qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; z – Placed first in conference (and division) AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division
Schedule and results
Pre-season
Preseason: 2-1-3 (home: 2-0-1; road: 0-1-2)
Game
Date
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
1
September 21
Philadelphia Flyers 3-4 (SO)
Wells Fargo Center
19,288
0–0–1
2
September 23
New York Rangers 3-4 (OT)
Madison Square Garden
14,987
0–0–2
3
September 25
New York Rangers
4-5 (OT)
Prudential Center
13,821
0–0–3
4
September 28
Philadelphia Flyers
3-2
Prudential Center
10,124
1–0–3
5
October 1
New York Islanders 4-3
Prudential Center
13,596
2–0–3
6
October 2
New York Islanders
1-2
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,783
2–1–3
Win Loss Overtime/Shootout Loss
Regular season
2010-11 Game Log: 38-39-5, 81 Points (home: 22-16-3; road: 16-23-2)
October: 3-8-1, 7 Points (home: 0-4-1; road: 3-4-0)
Game
October
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
Points
1
8
Dallas Stars 3-4 (OT)
Prudential Center
17,625
0–0–1
1
2
9
@ Washington Capitals
2-7
Verizon Center
18,398
0–1–1
1
3
11
Pittsburgh Penguins 1-3
Prudential Center
12,880
0–2–1
1
4
13
@ Buffalo Sabres
1-0 (OT)
HSBC Arena
18,690
1–2–1
3
5
15
Colorado Avalanche 2-3
Prudential Center
12,221
1–3–1
3
6
16
Boston Bruins 1-4
Prudential Center
13,056
1–4–1
3
7
21
@ Montreal Canadiens
3-0
Bell Centre
21,273
2–4–1
5
8
23
Buffalo Sabres
1-6
Prudential Center
14,228
2–5–1
5
9
24
@ New York Rangers
1-3
Madison Square Garden
18,200
2–6–1
5
10
27
@ San Jose Sharks
2-5
HP Pavilion
17,562
2–7–1
5
11
29
@ Anaheim Ducks
2-1
Honda Center
14,724
3–7–1
7
12
30
@ Los Angeles Kings
1-3
Staples Center
18,118
3–8–1
7
November: 5-6-1, 11 Points (home: 4-1-1; road: 1-5-0)
Game
November
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
Points
13
1
@ Vancouver Canucks
0-3
Rogers Arena
18,860
3–9–1
7
14
3
@ Chicago Blackhawks
5-3
United Center
21,044
4–9–1
9
15
5
New York Rangers
0-3
Prudential Center
17,625
4–10–1
9
16
10
Buffalo Sabres
4-5 (SO)
Prudential Center
14,566
4–10–2
10
17
12
Edmonton Oilers 4-3 (OT)
Prudential Center
14,650
5–10–2
12
18
15
@ Boston Bruins
0-3
TD Garden
17,565
5–11–2
12
19
18
@ Toronto Maple Leafs
1-3
Air Canada Centre
19,271
5–12–2
12
20
20
@ St. Louis Blues
2-3
Scottrade Center
19,150
5–13–2
12
21
22
Washington Capitals
5-0
Prudential Center
14,107
6–13–2
14
22
24
Calgary Flames 2-1 (SO)
Prudential Center
13,202
7–13–2
16
23
26
@ New York Islanders
0-2
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,897
7–14–2
16
24
27
Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 (SO)
Prudential Center
17,625
8–14–2
18
December: 2-11-0, 4 Points (home: 2-6-0; road: 0-5-0)
Game
December
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
Points
25
2
Montreal Canadiens
1-5
Prudential Center
11,434
8–15–2
18
26
4
@ Philadelphia Flyers
3-5
Wells Fargo Center
19,657
8–16–2
18
27
6
@ Pittsburgh Penguins
1-2
Consol Energy Center
18,185
8–17–2
18
28
10
@ Ottawa Senators
2-3
Scotiabank Place
16,471
8–18–2
18
29
11
Detroit Red Wings 1-4
Prudential Center
17,625
8–19–2
18
30
15
Phoenix Coyotes 3-0
Prudential Center
13,208
9–19–2
20
31
17
Nashville Predators 1-3
Prudential Center
14,137
9–20–2
20
32
18
@ Atlanta Thrashers
1-7
Philips Arena
17,024
9–21–2
20
33
21
@ Washington Capitals
1-5
Verizon Center
18,398
9–22–2
20
34
23
New York Islanders
1-5
Prudential Center
13,312
9–23–2
20
35
26
Toronto Maple Leafs
1-4
Prudential Center
5,329
9–24–2
20
36
29
New York Rangers
1-3
Prudential Center
17,625
9–25–2
20
37
31
Atlanta Thrashers
3-1
Prudential Center
13,492
10–25–2
22
January: 6-5-1, 13 Points (home: 3-2-0; road: 3-3-1)
Game
January
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
Points
38
1
@ Carolina Hurricanes
3-6
RBC Center
16,107
10–26–2
22
39
4
Minnesota Wild 1-2
Prudential Center
13,257
10–27–2
22
40
6
Philadelphia Flyers
2-4
Prudential Center
15,098
10–28–2
22
41
8
@ Philadelphia Flyers
1-2
Wells Fargo Center
19,859
10–29–2
22
42
9
Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3
Prudential Center
16,194
11–29–2
24
43
14
@ Tampa Bay Lightning
5-2
St. Pete Times Forum
18,736
12–29–2
26
44
15
@ Florida Panthers
2-3 (OT)
BankAtlantic Center
17,825
12–29–3
27
45
17
@ New York Islanders
5-2
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13,119
13–29–3
29
46
20
Pittsburgh Penguins
2-0
Prudential Center
14,890
14–29–3
31
47
22
@ Philadelphia Flyers
3-1
Wells Fargo Center
19,847
15–29–3
33
48
23
Florida Panthers
5-2
Prudential Center
15,109
16–29–3
35
49
26
@ Detroit Red Wings
1-3
Joe Louis Arena
20,066
16–30–3
35
February: 11-1-1, 23 Points (home: 5-0-1; road: 6-1-0)
Game
February
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
Points
50
1
Ottawa Senators
2-1
Prudential Center
7,218
17–30–3
37
51
3
@ New York Rangers
3-2
Madison Square Garden
18,200
18–30–3
39
52
4
Florida Panthers
3-4 (OT)
Prudential Center
13,577
18–30–4
40
53
6
@ Montreal Canadiens
4-1
Bell Centre
21,273
19–30–4
42
54
8
Carolina Hurricanes
3-2 (OT)
Prudential Center
12,126
20–30–4
44
55
10
@ Toronto Maple Leafs
2-1 (OT)
Air Canada Centre
19,260
21–30–4
46
56
11
San Jose Sharks
2-1
Prudential Center
17,102
22–30–4
48
57
16
Carolina Hurricanes
3-2
Prudential Center
14,445
23–30–4
50
58
18
New York Rangers
1-0
Prudential Center
17,625
24–30–4
52
59
19
@ Carolina Hurricanes
4-1
RBC Center
17,890
25–30–4
54
60
22
@ Dallas Stars
1-0
American Airlines Center
13,652
26–30–4
56
61
25
@ Tampa Bay Lightning
1-2
St. Pete Times Forum
19,563
26–31–4
56
62
27
@ Florida Panthers
2-1
BankAtlantic Center
16,592
27–31–4
58
March: 8-5-1, 17 Points (home: 5-2-0; road: 3-3-1)
Game
March
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
Points
63
2
Tampa Bay Lightning
2-1
Prudential Center
12,857
28–31–4
60
64
4
Pittsburgh Penguins
2-1 (OT)
Prudential Center
17,625
29–31–4
62
65
6
@ New York Islanders
3-2 (SO)
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
15,893
30–31–4
64
66
8
Ottawa Senators
1-2
Prudential Center
15,978
30–32–4
64
67
11
@ Atlanta Thrashers
3-2 (OT)
Philips Arena
16,073
31–32–4
66
68
12
New York Islanders
3-2 (OT)
Prudential Center
17,625
32–32–4
68
69
15
Atlanta Thrashers
4-2
Prudential Center
16,188
33–32–4
70
70
17
@ Ottawa Senators
1-3
Scotiabank Place
17,758
33–33–4
70
71
18
Washington Capitals
0-3
Prudential Center
17,625
33–34–4
70
72
20
@ Columbus Blue Jackets
3-0
Nationwide Arena
13,043
34–34–4
72
73
22
@ Boston Bruins
1-4
TD Garden
17,565
34–35–4
72
74
25
@ Pittsburgh Penguins
0-1 (SO)
Consol Energy Center
18,329
34–35–5
73
75
26
@ Buffalo Sabres
0-2
HSBC Arena
18,690
34–36–5
73
76
30
New York Islanders
3-2
Prudential Center
16,252
35–36–5
75
April: 3-3-0, 6 Points (home: 3-1-0; road: 0-2-0)
Game
April
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
Points
77
1
Philadelphia Flyers
4-2
Prudential Center
17,625
36–36–5
77
78
2
Montreal Canadiens
1-3
Prudential Center
17,625
36–37–5
77
79
5
@ Pittsburgh Penguins
2-4
Consol Energy Center
18,331
36–38–5
77
80
6
Toronto Maple Leafs
4-2
Prudential Center
14,207
37–38–5
79
81
9
@ New York Rangers
2-5
Madison Square Garden
18,200
37–39–5
79
82
10
Boston Bruins
3-2
Prudential Center
17,625
38–39–5
81
2010-11 Schedule
Win (2 Points) Loss (0 Points) Overtime/Shootout Loss (1 Point)
Player statistics
Skaters
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes
Goaltenders
Regular season
Player
GP
Min
W
L
OT
GA
GAA
SA
Sv%
SO
G
A
PIM
Martin Brodeur 56
3116
23
26
3
127
2.45
1313
.903
6
0
2
2
Johan Hedberg 34
1717
15
12
2
68
2.38
777
.912
3
0
1
4
Mike McKenna 2
118
0
1
0
6
3.05
56
.893
0
0
0
0
† Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Devils. Stats reflect time with Devils only.
‡ Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Devils only.
Awards and records
Awards
Regular Season
Player
Award
Awarded
Martin Brodeur [ 14] NHL Third Star of the Week
January 24, 2011
Johan Hedberg [ 15] NHL Second Star of the Week
February 21, 2011
Johan Hedberg[ 16]
NHL Third Star of the Month
February 2011
Records
Player
Record (Amount)
Achieved
Milestones
Regular Season
Player
Milestone
Reached
Jason Arnott 1,100th Career NHL Game
October 8, 2010
Matt Taormina 1st Career NHL Game
October 8, 2010
Alexander Urbom 1st Career NHL Game
October 8, 2010
Matt Taormina
1st Career NHL Assist
October 13, 2010
Matthew Corrente 1st Career NHL Assist
October 15, 2010
Matt Taormina
1st Career NHL Goal
October 15, 2010
Jacob Josefson 1st Career NHL Game
October 15, 2010
Olivier Magnan 1st Career NHL Game
October 21, 2010
Alexander Vasyunov 1st Career NHL Game
October 23, 2010
Alexander Vasyunov
1st Career NHL Assist
October 29, 2010
Bradley Mills 1st Career NHL Game
October 30, 2010
Bradley Mills
1st Career NHL Goal
November 3, 2010
Stephen Gionta 1st Career NHL Game
November 5, 2010
Mattias Tedenby 1st Career NHL Game
November 10, 2010
Mattias Tedenby
1st Career NHL Goal
November 12, 2010
Alexander Vasyunov
1st Career NHL Goal
November 12, 2010
Henrik Tallinder 500th Career NHL Game
November 18, 2010
Patrik Elias 900th Career NHL Game
November 20, 2010
Mark Fayne 1st Career NHL Game
November 22, 2010
Johan Hedberg 300th Career NHL Game
November 22, 2010
Colin White 100th Career NHL Assist
December 4, 2010
Colin White
700th Career NHL Game
December 6, 2010
Mark Fayne
1st Career NHL Goal
December 15, 2010
Martin Brodeur 1,100th Career NHL Game
December 23, 2010
Mark Fayne
1st Career NHL Assist
December 26, 2010
Nick Palmieri 1st Career NHL Goal
January 9, 2011
Jason Arnott
500th Career NHL Assist
January 17, 2011
Vladimir Zharkov 1st Career NHL Goal
January 17, 2011
Dainius Zubrus 300th Career NHL Assist
February 3, 2011
Jacques Lemaire 600th Career NHL Win (coach)
February 10, 2011
Patrik Elias
800th Career NHL Point
February 19, 2011
Anton Volchenkov 100th Career NHL Point
February 19, 2011
Adam Mair 600th Career NHL Game
March 6, 2011
Jacob Josefson
1st Career NHL Assist
March 6, 2011
Jacob Josefson
1st Career NHL Goal
March 12, 2011
Anssi Salmela 100th Career NHL Game
March 17, 2011
Dave Steckel 300th Career NHL Game
March 20, 2011
Travis Zajac 400th Career NHL Game
March 25, 2011
Rod Pelley 200th Career NHL Game
March 30, 2011
Brian Rolston 400th Career NHL Assist
April 1, 2011
Ilya Kovalchuk 700th Career NHL Game
April 6, 2011
Adam Henrique 1st Career NHL Game
April 10, 2011
Alexander Urbom
1st Career NHL Goal
April 10, 2011
David Clarkson 100th Career NHL Point
April 10, 2011
Transactions
The Devils have been involved in the following transactions during the 2010–11 season.
Trades
|}
Free agents acquired
Player Former team Contract terms
Dan Kelly [ 21] Kitchener Rangers 3 years, $1.75 million entry-level contract
Henrik Tallinder [ 22] Buffalo Sabres 4 years, $13.5 million
Anton Volchenkov [ 22] Ottawa Senators 6 years, $25.5 million
Johan Hedberg [ 23] Atlanta Thrashers 1 year, $1.5 million
Mark Fayne [ 24] Providence College 2 years, $1.085 million entry-level contract
Stephen Gionta [ 24] Lowell Devils 2 years, $1.025 million
Chad Wiseman [ 24] Springfield Falcons 1 year, $500,000
Adam Mair [ 25] Buffalo Sabres 1 year, $515,000
Joe Sova [ 26] University of Alaska Fairbanks 2 years, $1.13 million entry-level contract
Keith Kinkaid [ 27] Union College 2 years, $1.28 million entry-level contract
Free agents lost
Lost via waivers
Player
New team
Date claimed off waivers
Jay Pandolfo None N/A
Player signings
Player Contract terms
Mattias Tedenby [ 37] 3 years, $2.625 million entry-level contract
Jacob Josefson [ 37] 3 years, $2.7 million entry-level contract
Eric Gelinas [ 21] 3 years, $2.07 million entry-level contract
David Clarkson [ 38] 3 years, $8 million
Mark Fraser [ 39] 1 year, $500,000
Tyler Eckford [ 24] 1 year, $550,000
Olivier Magnan [ 24] 1 year, $500,000
Harry Young[ 24]
3 years, $1.61 million entry-level contract
Jean-Sebastien Berube[ 24]
3 years, $1.595 million entry-level contract
Patrick Davis [ 24] 1 year, $500,000
Tim Sestito [ 24] 1 year, $500,000
Ilya Kovalchuk [ 40] 15 years, $100 million
Mike Hoeffel [ 26] 2 years, $1.325 million entry-level contract
Draft picks
New Jersey's picks at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles.
Farm teams
The Albany Devils (relocated from Lowell ) of the American Hockey League and the Trenton Devils of the ECHL remain the New Jersey Devils' minor league affiliates for the 2010–11 season.
See also
References
^ 2010-11 New Jersey Devils Regular Season Attendance Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine ^ National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011 . Triumph Books. p. 83. ISBN 978-1-60078-422-4 ^ Jacques Lemaire Retires ^ "MacLean introduced as new head coach – New Jersey Devils – News" . Archived from the original on June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010 .^ Adam Oates named Assistant Coach ^ "Lamoriello statement on Kovalchuk signing" (Press release). New Jersey Devils. July 22, 2010.^ Kovalchuk a free agent after arbitrator ruling ^ Devils, Kovalchuk finally seal the deal , [Miami Herald] ^ "DEVILS FIRE HEAD COACH MACLEAN, LEMAIRE BACK BEHIND THE BENCH" . Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2017 .^ "2010-11 NHL Summary" .^ "2010-11 NHL Schedule and Results" .^ Lemaire won't return as Devils coach ^ "2010–11 Standings by Division" . National Hockey League.^ Thomas tops NHL's 'Three Stars of the Week' ^ Antti Niemi tops NHL's 'Three Stars of the Week' ^ Toews tops February's 'Three Stars of the Month' ^ Arnott is Back! ^ Langenbrunner traded to Dallas ^ Devils acquire Jay Leach & Steve Zalewski ^ C David Steckel acquired from Washington ^ a b Devils sign prospect Eric Gelinas, add D Dan Kelly ^ a b Devils sign D Tallinder and Volchenkov ^ Devils sign G Johan Hedberg ^ a b c d e f g h i New Jersey Signs Nine Players ^ Devils sign Mair, assign Leblond to AHL ^ a b Devils sign F Mike Hoeffel, D Joe Sova Archived 2012-03-23 at the Wayback Machine ^ Devils ink G Keith Kinkaid to entry-level deal ^ Commitments Cory Murphy ^ Joachim Sandström (May 27, 2010). "NHL-meriterade Pikkarainen valde Timrå" [NHL-merited Pikkarainen chose Timrå]. timraik.se (in Swedish). Timrå IK . Archived from the original on August 18, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2010 . ^ Penguins Sign Defenseman Martin ^ After ten seasons Skoula farewells the NHL, heads to Omsk joining Jagr Archived July 7, 2010, at the Wayback Machine ^ SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH ROB NIEDERMAYER ^ Avalanche Signs Yip ^ Panthers Ink LW Andrew Peters ^ When Will Mike Mottau Get Signed by a NHL Team? ^ ISLANDERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH MIKE MOTTAU ^ a b Devils sign top picks Tedenby, Josefson ^ Devils re-sign David Clarkson ^ Devils, Fraser avoid arbitration ^ Signed, sealed, delivered
External links
Franchise History Personnel Arenas Rivalries Affiliates Media Culture and lore
Pre-1982 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
