After a 9-22-2 start to the 2010-2011 season where the Devils are the 2nd worst team in the league, the Star Ledger reports that head coach John MacLean has been fired. The current replacement is former head coach Jacques Lemaire (confirmed by ESPN's Pierre LeBrun), who will be filling in on an interim basis. Tom Gulitti also mentioned that Lemaire will be here for the remainder of the season, and MacLean will remain with the team however, though Lamoriello hasn't mentioned anything about it yet
My thoughts- It was too late. Not going to make a difference. Is Lemaire going to solve any problems at the moment? He's probably going to improve the defense, as in getting people to actually do something instead of standing around while Jay Beagle walks in and roofs one past Martin Brodeur. Is he going to turn the Devils into world beaters? I doubt it.
As for Lemaire, some might wonder if it's really necessary for him to remain with the team for the remainder of the season. If you ask me, maybe Lou's going through all the potential coaching candidates. He's probably going to be extra careful with all the candidates, seeing as he doesn't want another MacLean.
As for MacLean, he deserved it. The players looked lost out there. He had no clue of what he was doing. Defensemen were just terrible, though that could fall on Larry Robinson, who was supposed to be in charge of the defense. Don't blame the players for this season. There was talent on the roster. It just wasn't utilized properly, or it was on injured reserve. MacLean didn't know what he was doing. How else does a two time 50 goal scorer become so bad that he's getting outscored by over 20 defensemen?
Thought from the hockey world about the firing past the jump.
This is the worst thing to happen to a guy named John MacLean at Christmas since Hans Gruber held a bunch of people hostage in 1988. - Sportsnet's Ian Mendes
Sounds like the Devils are trying to out Leaf the Leafs as far as incompetency. Wow.- Chris Burton from On the Forecheck
I bet Jamie Langenbrunner is walking around all sour-puss face right now.- Carlos Figueroido aka SpeakoftheDevs
Toughest Christmas that a John MacLean has experienced since Die Hard.- Down Goes Brown
It's official, Lamoriello's turned into George Steinbrenner from Seinfeld. "Jacques Lemaire, Robbie Ftorek, Pat Burns, Jacques Lemaire ..."- Steve Lepore from SBNation New York
@NonAmericanHero Now your team is likely going to be truly unwatchable.- Carl Putnam from Five for Howling
Also, I feel like Captain Crankypants is one foot out the door now- Josh Burnett from Intent to Blow
Devils are ridiculous. Firing Johnny Mac despite NJ missing its best player Parise for 20 games & [Marty] for 10. Guess Lou cant fire himself.- Scotty Hockey
Honestly thought MacLean was going to get the axe last week.- Ryan Porth from Red Light District Hockey
I'm gonna miss Lamoriello's "status quo", "stay the course" quotes ... at least until Lemaire's on the hot seat- Puck Daddy's Sean Leahy
The Devils have fired John MacLean on Festivus. That's taking the airing of grievances to a whole new level.- NHL.com's Dave Lozo
Know who's happiest about Lemaire coming back: Martin Skoula. He knows he can find an NHL job again if things get desperate.- Pro Hockey Talk's Joe Yerdon