2004–05 New Jersey Devils season

The 2004–05 New Jersey Devils season would have been the team's 22nd season in New Jersey; however, the 2004–05 NHL lockout prevented the season from occurring, and thus the season was cancelled.

NHL lockout

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello sat on the negotiating committee for the league, although he had little to say early on in the proceedings. [Citation|author=Tom Jones|title=NHL likely to reject union offer|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|pages=Sports, 1C|date=2007-12-14] However, he was invited to a January meeting by the players' union in an attempt to breach sides; Lamoriello was invited because of the respect for the manner in which he ran the Devils organization.Citation|author=Joe Lapointe|title=Lamoriello Joins League's Team in N.H.L. Contract Talks|newspaper=New York Times|pages=Section D; Column 1; Sports Desk; HOCKEY; Pg. 5|date=2005-01-27] That meeting was ultimately unfruitful, although it did lead to further talks between the players and the owners. As late as February of 2005, Lamoriello showed hope the season could be salvaged. [Citation|author=Tom Jones|title=No deal, no budging, no end; no surprise|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|pages=Sports, 3C|date=2005-02-05] quote|They're trying to do everything humanly possible to try to get the game back on the ice... If there is reason to believe that there is hope and a chance, then I think you use that time. We have to have some patience.

He later added: [Citation|author=John Dellapina|title=Hockey season hits over time|newspaper=New York Daily News|pages=Sports, pg. 62|date=2005-02-15] quote|Maybe I'm from the old school. But I believe we should lock ourselves in a room and not come out until we've made a deal - or announced that we can't. I've said all along, until someone tells me it's over, it's not. It's too easy to be negative. There's no question we have something scheduled at this point for (tomorrow) Wednesday. It's looking very bleak right now. But it's not over.

Lamoriello praised the final decision, saying it put everyone on "level footing" and created more parity in the league. [Citation|author=Helene Elliott|title=Labor Pains Finally Stop for the NHL|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|pages=Sports Desk; Part D; Pg. 1|date=2005-07-14]

Meanwhile, during the stoppage Devils' center Scott Gomez went home to Anchorage, Alaska to play for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. He went on to lead the league in scoring, netting 86 points in only 68 games, en route to winning the league's Most Valuable Player award.

Transactions

The Devils completed the following transactions before the lockout suspended all activity:

Trades

Draft picks

The Devils' draft picks at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft in Raleigh, North Carolina. [cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/draft/2004/round1.html|title=2004 Draft Results|publisher=NHL.com|accessdate=2007-07-05]

Farm teams

The Albany River Rats, the Devils' American Hockey League affiliate, finished in last place in their division during the 2004–05 AHL season, and failed to make the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Veteran Dean McAmmond led the team in scoring with 61 points, while right on his heels was hot rookie Zach Parise with 58. Meanwhile goaltenders Scott Clemmensen and Ari Ahonen split the load evenly, although Ahonen had more wins in fewer games played. Parise and Clemmensen would go on to make the Devils' squad full-time the following season.

ee also

*2004–05 NHL season
*2004–05 NHL lockout

References