NEWARK, N.J. — The energy is gone, so Jacques Lemaire is walking away from coaching.
Just four days after the Devils were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round for the third straight year, Lemaire, 64, made the surprising announcement Monday that he is retiring as a coach.
“It’s tough to leave what you like, but it’s a decision that I made,” he said.
Lemaire said he thought about retiring several times this season and that the loss to the Flyers in five games had nothing to do with his decision.
“It’s not the team, it is not the result or the lack of result we had in the playoffs,” a glassy-eyed Lemaire said. “It’s not that at all. It’s the end of the line. I’ll be 65. It’s just time.”
Lemaire coached 16 seasons in the NHL with Montreal, New Jersey and Minnesota, posting a 588-441 record. His teams also played 124 ties and lost 60 games in overtime or shootouts. He won the Jack Adams Award as the league’s top coach in 1994 and 2003.
Among those who considered potential replacements are John MacLean, the coach of the Devils’ top farm team (Lowell of the AHL), and Hall of Fame defenseman Scott Stevens, who was an assistant this season.
Masterton finalists named
NEW YORK — Lightning defenseman Kurtis Foster, Sharks forward Jed Ortmeyer and Capitals goalie Jose Theodore are the finalists for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
The award is given to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
The winner will be announced June 23.
The Associated Press
