This Easter For Jersey...Deviled Eggs...Slightly Spoiled

In a move that, despite history, shocked me above anything else, New Jersey Devils head coach Claude Julien was fired today. This move comes despite the fact that with 3 games left the Devils have amassed 102 points and currently lead their division and sit second in the Eastern Conference. Mathematically they still have a shot at winning the regular season Eastern Conference title. However, in a move that isn't unlike his character, GM Lou Lamoriello decided to pull the trigger on his stint as leader of the team. Lamoriello will take over as head coach for the remainder of the season as well as the playoffs. Lamoriello has done the same thing a couple of other times and has been criticized as would be expected. The problem in this situation is that the team was currently winning. Not only have they played well all season, but are in the midst of a 4-1 stretch that saw their only loss coming to the Buffalo Sabres.

How does one aim to wrap their head around this move? Well, the only explanation that I can come up with is that Lamoriello wants all the glory and all the credit. He is a great manager of the sport and understands the game at a very high level. But this move may backfire with repercussions that he is not prepared to handle. There is such thing as out-coaching, or in this case out-managing, your own ability. It will be a brilliant move if it works, but a catastrophic one if it fails. Devils fans have reason to believe that their team is capable of not only reaching, but winning the Stanley Cup this season. With a goaltender of the caliber of Brodeur and a potent neo-trap that the Devils have implemented there is no telling how far the Devils really can go. Fans in the Jersey area could be in for some heartache and may lead a pitchfork rebellion calling for the head of Lamoriello if this move does indeed fail. Perhaps I'm being too critical of his move and it will pay off, but all signs right now point to disaster. An early exit for the Devils this year could mean a tumultuous off season. We're told to strike when the iron is hot, well the Devils couldn't be hotter and this move could be the extinguisher that all fans fear.

Long live sports,
DG2