The New Jersey Devils’ championship success was always defined by smart drafting, shrewd trades and a team first mentality. The Devils had seen many fan favorites leave via free agency, yet always had someone come in younger and cheaper who could get the job done just as well.
Devils teams over the years had a plethora of talent in their system that helped them make deep runs on route to the Stanley Cup. Everything that worked out in general manager Lou Lamoriello’s favor for nearly two decades stopped working towards the end of his tenure with the club.