Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 18

New York Post

"Sources have told The Post that Brendan Shanahan, who announced his retirement yesterday, may be in line for a position with the NHL. Shanahan, 40, was released by the Devils Sept. 30 after a strong training camp, and his $1 million contract terminated without payment when he failed to report to their AHL Lowell farm team. Subsequent attempts by the then-active leading goal-scorer, 11th all-time with 656, to secure a playing position failed, resulting in yesterday's announcement. Shanahan initially signed with the Devils Jan. 15 and was a valuable addition to the team. He re-signed in August, only to be dropped the next month. Sources have told The Post that Brendan Shanahan, who announced ..."

Elias making tiny progress

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October 21

Bergen Record

"Devils left wing Patrik Elias continues to slowly progress toward rejoining the team, but he said Tuesday that he does not know when he will participate in a full practice or play in his first game of the season. Elias underwent arthroscopic surgery on his groin Sept. 15 to clear out some scar tissue from a previous procedure. He said he skated on his own again Tuesday, something he has been doing for more than two weeks. The next step would be to practice with the team, but he did not know when that would happen. Elias said the team is being careful not to rush his recovery and there is no timetable for when he would play in his first game. "No one is talking to me about a target, which ..."

Brodeur may get night off

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October 15

New York Post

"Martin Brodeur has yet to need a game off, but with games on consecutive nights starting tomorrow, coach Jacques Lemaire didn't rule out the possibility that new backup Yann Danis could get his first start as a Devil in one of them. "He might," Lemaire said after the team practiced in Newark yesterday, fresh off a three-game road winning streak. The Devils host Atlanta tomorrow and Carolina on Saturday. Lemaire and his staff are trying to figure out when Danis, who spent last year with the Islanders, some time. "We can't look for an easier game because there's none," Lemaire said. "I don't know exactly when he'll step in, but he will soon. I just want to see how good we're playing. If we ..."

Devils demoted Shanahan to avoid payout

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October 12

New York Post

"In order to avoid paying Brendan Shanahan his $1 million salary, and to wipe it off their books for salary cap purposes, the Devils assigned the NHL's leading active goal-scorer to the minors, The Post has learned. When Shanahan, who has never played a game in the minors in 21 pro seasons, did not report, the Devils were free to terminate the deal they signed with him Aug. 5. The Devils essentially cut the 40-year-old right wing on the eve of the season, making room on the 23-man roster for a rookie forward. Rookies Illka Pikkarainen, Niclas Bergfors and Matt Halischuk have yet to make a major impact on the team, which will attempt to complete a perfect three-game road trip tonight when it ..."

Shanahan leaving Devils

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October 2

New York Post

"Devils right wing Brendan Shanahan ceased being the NHL's leading active career goal-scorer when he left the team today. With several young right wings on the roster, the 40-year-old who signed for $1 million this offseason left the Devils in what he called a "mutual and amicable" decision. "I have decided not to continue with th New Jersey Devils for my 22nd season," Shanahan said in a statement. "When I signed the past summer, Lou Lamoriello, Jacques Lemaire and I agreed that if we were unable to find a suitable fit in which I would be able to compete and contribute at the level I expect from myself, then I would simply step aside." The Associated Press reports Shanahan was told ..."

Devils cut winger Brendan Shanahan

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October 1

Newark Star-Ledger

"There was speculation as to the status of veteran right winger Brendan Shanahan, who did not take part in Thursday morning's Devils practice. General manager Lou Lamoriello solvered the mystery surrounding Shanahan when he revealed the team has cut the future Hall of Famer. "Over the past couple of days Jacques (Lemaire) and I have had conversations. The unexpected has transpired," Lamoriello said. "It's not that Brendan cannot play. It's that these (young) players have become something special at this time." Shanahan, 40, is still on the Devils' roster. As long as he remains on the roster, his $1 million salary will count against the cap. Lamoriello suggested he would be removed from the ..."

Devils demote four

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September 28

New York Post

"The Devils yesterday trimmed their roster to 29 by assigning goaltender Jeff Frazee and forwards Olivier Magnan-Grenier, Ben Walter and Vladimir Zharkov to AHL Lowell. The Devils still need to trim six before Oct. 1, though Patrik Elias (groin surgery) may provide an exemption. Competition on defense for two or three spots probably is among Rob Davison, Mark Fraser, Andy Greene, Jay Leach and Cory Murphy, with Greene most likely set. Rod Pelley and Tim Sestito are competing for a center spot, at least until Elias returns."

Devs get defensive with Peters

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September 25

New York Post

"Trying to keep pace with a trend in the Atlantic Division, the Devils have signed enforcer Andrew Peters to a two-year contract, The Post has learned. The former Sabre was invited to Devils camp as an unrestricted free agent on a tryout basis and earned a contract with his performance in training camp. Peters joins Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond as the Devils' top pugilists, although there may only be room for one in most lineups, such as the one that fell 2-1 in overtime to the Flyers last night, when Peters played. Matt Carle scored on the power play in the first on Martin Brodeur, and Devils' prospect Matt Halischuk tied the game in the third on Ray Emery, with both goalies going the ..."

Patrik Elias unlikely to be ready for start of New Jersey Devils training camp

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September 10

The Times of Trenton

"Patrik Elias has been mentioned as the Devils' possible second-line center, but the club's all-time scoring leader may not be ready for training camp when veterans take the ice for the first time on Sunday. Having undergone hip/groin surgery June 12, Elias is still feeling some discomfort and admits he isn't 100 percent. "Not yet. We're just kind of discussing my status," Elias told The Star-Ledger yesterday. "I'm trying not to think about this as a setback. I had the surgery and I did everything I could with rehab. Whenever I'm ready, I'm ready. "It's still going to take a little while for me not to feel anything. It takes three months or a little longer to recover from this. I'm ..."

Former NJ Devils center Jim Dowd to stage annual high school all-star hockey game

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August 4

Newark Star-Ledger

"Former NHL standout and Brick High star Jim Dowd and his Shoot for the Stars Foundation will stage the 12th Shore High School All-Star Ice Hockey Game, 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Red Bank Armory. Players from Monmouth and Ocean counties will meet in the fundraiser, which benefits the Frances Foundation for Kids Fighting Cancer. Proceeds provide for financial and emotional assistance for cancer victims and their families. "It's a great way to give back to the community, especially the kids," Dowd said. "It's part of my life now and I love putting the event together. It all revolves around helping people through hockey, and if it wasn't for New Jersey high school hockey I wouldn't be where I am ..."

Brendan Shanahan ready for 22nd NHL season, but will it be with New Jersey Devils?

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July 27

Newark Star-Ledger

"There is enough interest around the league in Brendan Shanahan that the veteran winger is already looking forward to training camp and his 22nd NHL season. But agent Rick Curran wouldn't say on Monday if Shanahan and the Devils were getting close to a deal. Shanahan, 40, is an unrestricted free agent. "I have nothing to report at this time," Curran said. "I'm encouraged to the extent that I know Brendan will be playing this year. That's all I'm prepared to say." Asked to characterize talks with the Devils, Curran said: "I can't." Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello has said he'd like to bring Shanahan back at the right price. He also said the decision would hinge on discussions with new ..."

With no agreement in sight, NJ Devils center Travis Zajac headed for arbitration hearing

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July 20

The Times of Trenton

"The Devils would like to have avoided salary arbitration with center Travis Zajac, but that is now unlikely. Zajac and general manager Lou Lamoriello are headed for Friday's arbitration hearing, a process that is often nasty. "We'll have as many conversations as are necessary, but right now it's leaning toward arbitration," Lamoriello said Monday. "It's hard to explain. At this moment there is nothing, although there is no animosity whatsoever." Lamoriello said he hasn't decided whether the team will ask the arbitrator for a one or two-year deal in the hearing. "We won't decide that until the last minute," the GM said. Goalie Kevin Weekes, an unrestricted free agent, will not be coming ..."

Devils Center Attention on Morrison

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July 9

New York Post

"With Saku Koivu now a Duck, general manager Lou Lamoriello's options for adding an offensive center are dwindling. It seems more and more likely that his pronouncement of only adding "role players" to his roster actually will be the case. Former Devil Brendan Morrison is one offensive center still available on the unrestricted market. Agent Kurt Overhardt refused comment on whether Lamoriello is trying to sign Morrison, but did say "there are a couple of things going on," and that he expects the 33-year-old to sign somewhere in a few days. Morrison had sought a trade from New Jersey when he was packaged with Denis Pederson to Vancouver for Alexander Mogilny on March 14, 2000."

Devils center Travis Zajac files for salary arbitration

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July 6

The Times of Trenton

"Devils center Travis Zajac, a restricted free agent, has filed for salary arbitration later this summer. Zajac, who earned $984,000 last season, has been unable to work out a new deal with the team. He is one of 20 NHL players who have chosen salary arbitration prior to Sunday's 5 p.m. deadline. Arbitration cases are heard in late July and in August. Zajac and his agent can continue negotiationg a new deal with the Devils to avoid going through the often nasty arbitration process. At the arbitration hearing the Devils will make a case for a salary figure and Zajac's representative will do the same. A decision by the arbitrator must be made within 48 hours of the hearing. With the ..."

Defenseman Johnny Oduya expected to finalize new deal with New Jersey Devils on Tuesday

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June 30

The Times of Trenton

"It appears the Devils will be able to keep highly-regarded defenseman Johnny Oduya from testing the market when the free agency period officiallly begins at noon Wednesday. Oduya has been priority No. 1 for Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, who said Monday night that a deal with the speedy defenseman could be finalized Tuesday. Lamoriello and agent Don Meehan are believed to be close to a multi-year contract at about $3 million per season. "I think that's close," Lamoriello said Monday night about re-signing Oduya. In fact, Lamoriello wasn't content to stop there. "Hopefully we can get one or two things done in the next 48 hours," he said. That may mean a new contract for restricted ..."

Devils may name coach by Monday

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June 28

Bergen Record

"After two busy days at the NHL entry draft in Montreal, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello has three more days to brace for the opening of the free agent market on Wednesday. Those three days provide a window for Lamoriello to name a successor to head coach Brent Sutter, and there are strong indications he will utilize it, perhaps as soon as Monday. Lamoriello said naming a head coach is next on his agenda. When asked if he intended to do so before July 1, Lamoriello replied, "We'll see." The evidence continues to point toward former Devils coach Jacques Lemaire, who directed the team to its first Stanley Cup in 1995. Lemaire, who will turn 64 in September, has avoided mentioning the ..."

Devs' coaching search continues

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June 26

Bergen Record

"Jacques Lemaire is content to wait while the Devils continue their coaching search. Lemaire still would not discuss whether he is a candidate for the team's head coaching job, but said Wednesday that he has yet to make a decision on what he wants to do next season because the "coaching situation" he is involved with is "not moving." The Devils are the only NHL team currently without a head coach. "Nothing is moving, so I'm going to wait," Lemaire told the Record on Wednesday. Lemaire had previously indicated that he would make up his mind before the NHL entry draft begins Friday in Montreal, but said Wednesday that he won't decide anything now until after the draft. Lemaire, who will turn ..."

Brian Gionta wants to return to New Jersey Devils but there has been no contact from team

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June 24

The Times of Trenton

"Brian Gionta wants to continue playing for the Devils, but he wonders whether the team will have enough cap space to keep him. Gionta, who earned $4 million last season as part of a three-year, $12 million deal he signed in 2006, told me on Tuesday there has been no communication with general manager Lou Lamoriello. He becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1. "We have not touched base at all yet," Gionta said. "I don't think it's surprising because of the cap situation this year. The cap isn't set and no one knows where it's going to go. Teams don't know what they have to work with. "The problem is the cap will be determined late this year." Gionta told me he wants to come back. But he ..."

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello won't comment on Brent Sutter until Flames make their move

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June 22

The Times of Trenton

"Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello is a busy man these days. Perhaps even an angry man. With the NHL entry draft beginning on Friday evening in Montreal and his search for a new head coach still apparently ongoing, Lamoriello is avoiding any comments about Brent Sutter's expected defection to the Calgary Flames. "I'm not going to have any comment on that situation until something happens or doesn't happen," Lamoriello told me Monday afternoon. "Until there is an official announcement one way or the other -- and don't misinterpret that -- I'm going to withhold any comments." Is he angry with Sutter? "I'm going to stick with what I just said," Lamoriello said. "Then I will comment." The ..."

Sutter close to signing as Flames head coach

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June 21

Calgary Sun

"His cellphone going unanswered and his voicemail inbox full, one could only wonder Saturday what Brent Sutter was up to. But there's been plenty of talk despite the undisputed (at least in media circles) future head coach of the Calgary Flames not picking up his mobile. Sources suggest an official announcement as early as Sunday — before Flames GM Darryl Sutter heads off to Montreal for the weekend's draft — declaring his brother Brent Sutter as the man to take over behind the bench for the fired Mike Keenan. The team is remaining silent, as it has during weeks of searching for a new staff to lead the Flames this fall. Nothing new to report. Nothing planned. History suggests that can ..."

Sutter Close To Flame Job

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June 21

New York Post

"Sources say former Devils coach Brent Sutter is close to becoming Flames coach under brother and Calgary GM Darryl Sutter. Those sources say Sutter is under serious consideration by Flames ownership for the job that became vacant when Mike Keenan was fired May 22. Sutter resigned June 9 as Devils coach, citing a desire to be closer to his family and Red Deer Rebels junior team."

Reports: Brent Sutter to Flames

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June 21

ESPN.com

"Brent Sutter is expected to be named Calgary Flames head coach as early as Sunday, several media outlets are reporting. Sutter, whose brother Darryl is the Flames general manager, stepped down as coach of the Devils for family reasons in early June with a year left on his contract. Darryl had to get permission from Devils GM Lou Lamoriello to speak to Brent, TSN reported. When Darryl fired Mike Keenan in late May, he said he wanted a coach in place by the entry draft. It begins Friday."

MacLean is not Lou's guy

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June 20

Bergen Record

"It's less than a week from the start of the NHL Entry Draft and, at this point, it appears unlikely that the Devils will have hired a head coach before it gets under way. That's nothing to get too concerned about considering that it's been less than two weeks since Brent Sutter stepped down and it would have been unrealistic to expect general manager Lou Lamoriello to conduct a thorough coaching search so quickly. What we have learned in this short time, however, is that assistant coach John MacLean will not be Sutter's successor. If Lamoriello believed MacLean was the right man for the job now after passing over him two previous times, he already would have promoted him. Other than that, ..."

Dineen May Be A Devils Target

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June 19

New York Post

"Add another name to the list of possible candidates to succeed Brent Sutter as Devils coach: former Flyer captain, Whaler and Hurricane Kevin Dineen. Dineen has coached the AHL's Portland Pirates since the 2005-06 season, and joins Jacques Lemaire, John MacLean, Peter Laviolette, Guy Carbonneau, Bob Hartley, Mike Haviland and Kirk Muller among potential candidates. Like Sutter, who resigned this month as Devils coach to be nearer his family and junior team in Alberta, Dineen is a member of a hockey family. His father, Bill Dineen, coached the Flyers, while four brothers are in hockey. Gord is a former Islander and coach in the minors, Peter a former King and Red Wing, Shawn is an NHL scout ..."

Devs Want Oduya To Say 'I do'

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June 18

New York Post

"General manager Lou Lamoriello has begun initial talks aimed at keeping vital defenseman Johnny Oduya, an unrestricted free agent, with the Devils, The Post has learned. The discussions were strictly preliminary, agent Don Meehan told The Post, but mark the first such move toward preventing major players from becoming unrestricted July 1. Oduya could be expected to command a salary of $3.5-4 million on the open market, after earning 600G last season. Oduya is almost certain, because of his age (27), skill, position and upside, to draw the most and fattest offers from around the league among potential UFA Devils, who include Brian Gionta, John Madden, Scott Clemmensen, Kevin Weekes, Mike ..."

Jacques Lemaire hasn't ruled out a return to coach New Jersey Devils

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June 15

Newark Star-Ledger

"Jacques Lemaire may have stepped down as coach of the Minnesota Wild, but he doesn't think he is ready to give up on coaching in the NHL. In fact, he could become the next coach of the New Jersey Devils, although he knows that general manager Lou Lamoriello does not appreciate coaching candidates talking to the media. When I asked Lemaire if he is talking to the Devils, he hesitated and then answered: "I can't say that. I can't talk about that." Lemaire did confirm he is talking to several NHL clubs and told me he would make a decision "before the draft," which begins June 26. "There is nothing so far. I'm still talking to teams. I haven't made a decision yet," Lemaire said. "Nothing is ..."

New Jersey Devils center John Madden will test market as unrestricted free agent

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June 15

The Times of Trenton

"John Madden has won two Stanley Cup championships with the Devils and remains one of the club's key veteran forwards, but he hasn't spoken to general manager Lou Lamoriello yet about a new contract and will therefore test the market on July 1 as an unrestricted free agent. In a conversation Monday, Madden said he wouldn't rule out re-signing with the Devils but doesn't have any talks with Lamoriello scheduled. "I think either way I'll end up going to July 1st. I've waited this long. I might as well see it through for the next couple of weeks," Madden told me. The 36-year-old center played 76 games last season and scored 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists). That was ain offensive production ..."

Can Devils lasso Lemaire?

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June 13

Bergen Record

"Jacques Lemaire said he hasn't decided yet if he wants to coach again, but did nothing Friday to dispel speculation that he has interest in returning to the Devils. Lemaire, who coached the Devils to their first Stanley Cup in 1995, was vague when asked directly if he is interested in their head coaching job, which became available when Brent Sutter stepped down Tuesday. "That I can't talk about," Lemaire told The Record on Friday. "The only team I talked about was Tampa because it was out at that time. The other team - a lot of people have mentioned the Devils - but I was dealing with another team long before that." Lemaire, who will turn 64 in September, turned down an offer earlier this ..."

Haviland the best choice for Devils

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June 11

Bergen Record

"As Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello has gotten to work over the past two days on his search for a successor to Brent Sutter as the team's head coach, there have been many names of possible candidates floating around. They range from former Stanley Cup winners, such as Jacques Lemaire and Peter Laviolettte, to guys looking for another chance, such as Guy Carbonneau and Dave Tippett (who was fired by Dallas on Wednesday), to those waiting for their first shot at being a head coach in the NHL - like Devils assistant coach John MacLean. After going through 10 coaching changes in the 11 years since Lemaire stepped down as head coach, Lamoriello needs to find someone who can provide ..."

Sutter Gets Off Devils' Hot Seat

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June 10

New York Post

"The candidates are mighty and many: Peter Laviolette, Mike Keenan, Jacques Lemaire, Ted Nolan, Guy Carbonneau, Marc Crawford, Craig MacTavish, John MacLean and certainly others. The Devils' next issue is finding their 11th coach in 12 seasons. They don't last long any more. Lou Lamoriello said he deliberately decided not to start considering candidates until Brent Sutter actually resigned as Devils coach. He can start sifting through them now, because Sutter left the team yesterday after two years as head coach. The merry-go-round has resumed. The departure of Lemaire in 1998 started a run of Robbie Ftorek, Larry Robinson, Kevin Constantine, Pat Burns, Robinson again, Lamoriello, Claude ..."

Sutter Alberta-bound, but not to Flames

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June 9

Edmonton Journal

"Red Deer Rebels owner Brent Sutter has decided to forgo the last year of his contract as coach of the New Jersey Devils to be closer to his family in Alberta. Sutter will not be joining brother Darryl in Calgary. The Flames have been looking for a new coach since Mike Keenan was fired, and speculation was rampant that Brent would take the opportunity to join forces with Darryl, the Flames' general manager. Instead, Darryl will likely handle both duties. Brent also said he was never interested in the Edmonton Oilers coaching vacancy, which was just filled by Pat Quinn and Tom Renney. Sutter's decision not to return to the Devils for a third season was based solely on family considerations, ..."

Devils coach Brent Sutter resigns

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June 9

Calgary Herald

"Brent Sutter has resigned as the coach of the New Jersey Devils after just two seasons, fueling recent speculation about his candidacy for the vacant Calgary Flames coaching position. Sutter on Tuesday cited family reasons in making the decision, saying the Devils' crushing loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series had nothing to do with it. "I resigned my position as head coach and if there is anything that needs to be done I'll be there for them," said Sutter, who had a year left on his contract. New Jersey, which won its seventh Atlantic Division title in 12 years this past spring, gave two goals in the final 80 seconds in losing ..."

Devils coach steps down today

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June 9

Bergen Record

"Brent Sutter finally ended weeks of speculation by announcing during a conference call today that he will not return as head coach of the Devils next season. As expected, Sutter, who will turn 47 on Wednesday, cited trouble dealing with being away from his family in Red Deer, Alberta, and his business concerns there. He owns a ranch there as well as a major junior team, the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels. The Rebels have missed the playoffs the last two seasons. Sutter has one year remaining on a three-year contract he signed when he was hired July 13, 2007. In his two seasons with the Devils, he guided them to a 97-56-11 record. In 2008-09, the Devils won team-record 51 games and ..."

Sutter reportedly out in N.J.; could Calgary be next?

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June 9

NHL.com

"New Jersey Devils coach Brent Sutter will announce his resignation from the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday after two seasons as coach, a Calgary television station reported. The move could clear the way for Sutter to become coach of the Calgary Flames, where his brother, Darryl, is the general manager, CTV Calgary reported. The Flames fired coach Mike Keenan last month and no replacement has been named. When reached for comment, a Flames spokesman said, "We have no announcements to make." Sutter, who has one year left on his contract with New Jersey, has a record of 97-56-11 since being named Devils coach July 13, 2007. They were the Atlantic Division champions this season after posting a ..."

Sutter Still Up In Air

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June 9

New York Post

"Another weekend to ponder returning to New Jersey didn't bring a decision from Brent Sutter. Sutter told The Post yesterday he still hasn't decided on coming back for a third season behind the Devils' bench. "It has to be done very soon because of the situation [with the Devils] and because of the circumstances [in Alberta]," Sutter said. "Mr. [Lou] Lamoriello and I talk on almost a daily basis. He knows exactly where everything stands." Sutter owns the junior Red Deer Rebels in Alberta, where he cut his coaching teeth, and strongly missed his family, which remained in Canada. He has expressed feeling responsibilities toward the Rebels, and his daughter in high school, in addition to those ..."

Sutter says he'll decide soon

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June 8

Calgary Herald

"Having cast a reel or two in his time, Brent Sutter has no objection to you dropping a lure into the water to see if there's a nibble. Even if the fish is far too canny to bite. "Ahh, ahh, you're reaching now,'' tut-tutted Sutter, amused at such a clumsy, leading question, when asked if he could ever, at some distant date, maybe, possibly, perhaps-- purely hypothetically, of course --see himself working for his brother Darryl. "I'm employed by the New Jersey Devils. "So the only comment I have to that question is: No comment.'' Brent Sutter patiently repeated he has not yet completely made up his mind on where, or even if, he will coach next season. He reiterated there has been no ..."

GM Sutter awaits brother?

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June 4

Calgary Sun

"It's now been more than one week since Darryl Sutter's non-announcement. Remember that one? It was his four-days-after-the-fact explanation about why Mike Keenan was fired as head coach and his proclamation he'll take the job unless he can find somebody better. The silence has been deafening. So have the rumours. Even amidst the Stanley Cup final and with the Calgary Stampeders -- the defending Grey Cup champions -- about to open camp, tongues wagging over a double-double in this city are wondering when Sutter will make his decision over a new bench boss. It could be today or tomorrow. It could be -- as he said during the press conference -- around the time the NHL Entry Draft is held, ..."

Madden In Devils' Limbo

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June 3

New York Post

"Less than a month from unrestricted free agency, Devils center John Madden told The Post there has been "zero, nada," discussion with New Jersey on a new contract. The four-time Selke Trophy nominee and 2001 winner said he is not discouraged by the inaction. "I don't think that's a problem. There are a lot of decisions being made internally before the unrestricted free agents and restricted free agents start getting signed," Madden said. Madden's role diminished last season under coach Brent Sutter, who often used Dainius Zubrus' line, with Patrik Elias and Brian Gionta, against their foes' best. In the playoffs, however, Madden again was given checking duty, with significant success."

Lamoriello Should Let Devils Coach Out Of His Contract

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May 24

New York Post

columnist Larry Brooks

"BRENT Sutter sure sounds like a man whose heart is in Red Deer, whose life is in Alberta and whose head couldn't be farther from Newark. Fair enough. But now it's time for general manager Lou Lamoriello to make it easy for Sutter to follow his heart by relieving the Devils' head coach of the obligation to fulfill the third and final year of his contract. It's time for the general manager to get on with the business of finding a coach who wants to be in New Jersey for the long-term rather than continuing with one who would operate as a lame duck only out of a sense of responsibility. There's no need for Sutter to continue to agonize over his decision. Lamoriello should make it for him and ..."

Sutter Not Thinking Calgary

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May 23

New York Post

"Devils coach Brent Sutter told The Post last night that the firing of Mike Keenan by elder brother Darryl Sutter in Calgary "has zero impact" on whether he will return behind the New Jersey bench next season. Flames general manager Darryl Sutter yesterday fired Keenan after a second straight first-round playoff exit, immediately prompting speculation that Brent Sutter could slip right into that spot and be as close to his family as he could get in the NHL. "Absolutely not. It has nothing to do with my thinking," Sutter told The Post. "I'm employed by the New Jersey Devils, and that's the way I look at it." In a story first broken by The Post in February, Sutter is considering whether to ..."

Holik Set To Retire, Focus On Family

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May 23

New York Post

"The great career of a great Devil is over. Bobby Holik told The Post yesterday that he is retiring from hockey after 18 NHL seasons, 11 of those with New Jersey. "I'm done. I'm retiring," Holik said from his home in Wyoming. "I miss being with my family every day. I knew when the season ended, but I wanted to leave and get home first, and not make a big deal of it. "A player is what I was. Now I'm a husband and a father." Holik, 38, was the first-round (10th overall) pick of the Hartford Whalers in 1989 and was traded to New Jersey with a second-rounder (Jay Pandolfo) for Sean Burke and Eric Weinrich on Aug 28, 1992. He centered the Crash Line between Mike Peluso and Randy McKay, helping ..."

Niclas Havelid will play in Sweden next season rather than return to New Jersey Devils

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May 22

The Times of Trenton

"Niclas Havelid isn't coming back to the Devils next season. In fact, the veteran defenseman won't return to the NHL in 2009-10. Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello confirmed that Havelid has agreed to a deal with Linkoping of the Swedish Elite League for next season. "We knew he would be going back," Lamoriello said Thursday. "We had a feeling that would happen when we traded for him and we had no problem with it. He was a player for the playoffs. We thought that highly of our team." It has been known since the Devils were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes that Havelid, 36, was considering playing in Sweden. He is from Stockholm. However, Havelid left the Prudential Center on breakup ..."

Sutter still unsure of future

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May 15

Bergen Record

"Devils coach Brent Sutter had been home on his farm in Red Deer, Alberta, for only a day when he lost his cellphone. Apparently, the change of scenery did little to change Sutter's luck. Still smarting from the Devils' devastating Game 7 loss to Carolina in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals two and a half weeks ago, Sutter is just beginning the process of deciding whether he wants to return to coach the team for a third season. Sutter remained in New Jersey for 10 days after the Devils gave up two goals in the final 80 seconds of their season-ending, 4-3 loss to the Hurricanes before flying home. He has been working on his farm and catching up on business with the major junior team he ..."

Brent Sutter pondering his future with New Jersey Devils

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May 14

Newark Star-Ledger

"He is back home in Red Deer, Alberta, watching the Stanley Cup playoffs on television and spending some time on the farm and at the offices of his junior hockey team. Brent Sutter hasn't made any decisions as to whether or not he will return next season to coach the Devils. I spoke to Sutter Thursday afternoon and nothing should be read into the fact that he hasn't publicly said he will be back for the final year on his contract. "I'm going to think everything through and spend some time around home and wait until Brandon comes home," he said. "It's a thinking-through process. There's nothing new to report. There will be a decision made at a later date.""

New Jersey Devils' Johnny Oduya a top four defenseman on any team

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May 12

The Times of Trenton

"Don Meehan isn't sure whether NHL teams will be willing to throw big money at Devils defenseman Johnny Oduya this summer, as they did with Brian Rafalski and Scott Niedermayer in the past. But the agent representing the 27-year-old Swede said Tuesday Oduya would be a top four defenseman on any NHL club. "He's a good player. He's a very good player," Meehan said from his office in Toronto. Among the upper echelon of NHL defensemen? "I think that's a difficult question to answer," Meehan said. "I would simply say he's recognized as a very good defenseman. Very able, very reliable. A top four defenseman on any team." Oduya is returning to New Jersey from the world championships in Bern, ..."

Devils GM Lou Lamoriello mum on Larry Robinson and Brent Sutter futures

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May 5

The Times of Trenton

"Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said Tuesday there is still no schedule regarding Brent Sutter and whether he will return to coach the team next season. Lamoriello also refused to comment on a report from RDS in Canada, the French version of TSN, which said Larry Robinson may be interested in coaching the Montreal Canadiens. "You're talking to the wrong person," Lamoriello said when I asked him about Robinson. "That I couldn't answer." Robinson is still under contract with the Devils as a special assignment coach. "Right," Lamoriello confirmed, "but I would not get into any of those discussions." Robinson, who has shown no interest in returning as an NHL coach, was not available for comment. And ..."

Rumor mill running on Sutter

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May 1

Bergen Record

"Devils coach Brent Sutter is too caught up in figuring out what happened in the past to think about his future with the team. Speaking two days after the Devils suffered what he called, "the most devastating loss I've ever had as a coach or a player," in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against Carolina, Sutter would not discuss whether he plans to come back in 2009-10 to coach the team for a third season. "I'm still thinking about what transpired here less than 48 hours ago," Sutter said Thursday after his players gathered for the final time in 2008-09 for a team photo and physicals. "There's a process you go through with that. It's been the most difficult thing that's ever ..."

Lou's job shrinking

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April 28

Bergen Record

"Lou Lamoriello's powers with the Devils are on the verge of being scaled back. According to a report in Monday's edition of Street"

Jamie Langenbrunner may return for Devils against Hurricanes

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April 26

New York Daily News

"The Devils may have their captain back for Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Hurricanes tonight in Raleigh. Right wing Jamie Langenbrunner practiced with the team Saturday for the first time since missing three games with a "lower-body injury." The Devils head south with a 3-2 lead and the chance to advance to an Eastern Conference semifinals meeting with the Capitals or Penguins. Defenseman Bryce Salvador, who injured his left knee in the Devils' Game 4 loss on Tuesday, will miss his second straight game, coach Brent Sutter said. He added that he will make a decision on Langenbrunner after this morning's skate. Langenbrunner, however, was optimistic. "The way that ..."

Devils Trade Rumors