He’s Back: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is returning to the bench to help coach his struggling team with Adam Oates and Scott Stevens.
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In another bizarre twist to the Pete DeBoer firing, Lou Lamoriello will return behind the bench for the Devils with Adam Oates and Scott Stevens. Referring to it as a “unique situation,” the Devils Team President and GM will help run the bench with Oates coaching the forwards while Stevens coaches the defense. Mike Foligno will also coach the forwards and Tommy Albelin will coach the defense both from the press box. Chris Terreri stays on as goalie coach.

This isn’t the first time Lamoriello has helped coach the Devils. He took over for Larry Robinson in ’05-06 and led them to a first round win over the Rangers. The following year, he fired Claude Julien with three games left and led the team to a second straight second round appearance. The 72-year old was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame in 2009. Recognized for being the architect of three Stanley Cups, he’s considered one of the best sports executives. Since the club’s Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2012, they’ve fallen on hard times missing the playoffs two consecutive seasons. Currently 13th in the East with 31 points, they’re nine points out of eighth entering tonight’s match against the Rangers at MSG.

It isn’t exactly clear what the plan is. Essentially, Oates and Stevens will act as co-coaches. How will that work with Lou? Not to question his thinking. I’m perplexed by this move. Are Oates and Stevens trying out and for how long? The rumors of former Ottawa bench boss Paul MacLean taking over weren’t true. With Lou, you just never know.

At 12-17-7, the Devils are closer to the lottery for prized prospects Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, who both are starring for their respective countries at the U20 World Junior Championship in Canada. Only three teams have worse records. With mostly a veteran roster up front featuring Jaromir Jagr, Mike Cammalleri, Patrik Elias, Travis Zajac, Michael Ryder, Martin Havlat and Scott Gomez, the Devils are a team in need of change. With only 2012 playoff hero Adam Henrique the lone exception among forwards, they need to get younger. At least the blueline includes injured rookie Damon Severson, Jon Merrill, Adam Larsson and power play specialist Eric Gelinas. They also had Seth Helgeson up.

Unless there’s a dramatic turnaround, Lamoriello needs to sell before the deadline. By bringing on former assistants Oates and Stevens, they can assess what to do with the roster. That includes figuring out what former 2011 first round pick Larsson is. Still just 22, he wasn’t a favorite of DeBoer. He never got consistent ice-time and was a healthy scratch and even went down to Albany for a conditioning assignment. Not exactly the way to develop a fourth overall selection.

Larsson isn’t the only Swede who was mistreated. Former ’09 first rounder Jacob Josefson was reduced to fourth line duty and scratches while DeBoer trusted vets Stephen Gionta, Steve Bernier and Dainius Zubrus. Maybe the coaching change will mean increased roles for Larsson and Josefson.

With the team struggling both offensively and defensively, it hasn’t been easy for Cory Schneider to replace Martin Brodeur. Even though he’s clearly better than the 42-year old living legend who’s sharing duty in St. Louis, Schneider has gotten the treatment from some fans despite respectable numbers (2.51 GAA .917 save percentage). Under DeBoer, he got most of the workload. He’s already made 31 starts. Last year, Schneider set a career high with 43 starts and 45 games played. With rookie Keith Kinkaid proving capable of filling in, figure that workload to decrease.

It’ll be interesting to see how the team responds to the coaching change. Appropriately, Lamoriello made the move after Christmas which is even cruel for Scrooge. But fittingly the Devils visit The Garden tonight. The Rangers are riding a season best seven-game winning streak. Wouldn’t it be ironic if it ends against a struggling Hudson rival? I’ve seen everything. Nothing would surprise me. Either way, we’re in for a holiday treat later.