New Jersey Devils All-Time All-Star Team

Only the Detroit Red Wings can boast greater success than the New Jersey Devils over the last 20 years. Last missing the playoffs in 1996, and only sitting out on the post season twice since 1987, the Devils have amassed an incredible pedigree that includes three Stanley Cups in a period of nine seasons. To thank for that, the Devils have an incredible defensive style of play bolstered by one of the greatest goaltenders of all time.

Goaltender

Martin Brodeur
1991-Present

Martin Brodeur quickly became an NHL star in 1993 when he stole the starting job in New Jersey from Chris Terreri. With steady play and impeccable natural ability, Brodeur took the Devils to the second best record in the NHL and an Eastern Conference Final appearance before being named the NHL's rookie of the year.

From there Brodeur simply had to continue playing to become known as an all time great. In only his second season Brodeur backstopped the Devils on the road to their first Stanley Cup victory in 1995 over the heavily favored Detroit Red Wings in a surprising four game sweep.

As defending Stanley Cup champions, big things were expected from the Devils. Somehow, they slipped down the rankings and found themselves on the outside looking in. Some speculated that the problem might have been Brodeur. Not that he was unqualified, or even that he was not playing well. No, it was in fact because Brodeur had broken his first NHL record by playing more minutes than any goaltender had done before him in a single season.

The Devils rebounded the next year to return back to the top of the NHL pack. Back in the playoffs as favorites to win, the Devils opened the post season in particularly spectacular fashion. Facing off against the Montreal Canadiens on April 17, 1997 the Devils led the Canadiens 4-2. As the game died down, the Canadiens pulled their goalie in the hope that they could tie the game and force overtime. As time wound down, the puck ended up on the stick of Martin Brodeur who then proceeded to fire it the length of the ice and into Montreal's empty net to score his first career goal. It was only the fifth time that a goaltender had managed such a feat.

The Devils would be eliminated in the second round, but Brodeur found himself nominated for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender. Although he would fail to win the Vezina, Brodeur did take home the Jennings Trophy for fewest goals against as he had allowed the fewest goals by any full time NHL goaltender in 30 years. The next year would be the same as the Devils were upset in the first round by the upstart Ottawa Senators, but Brodeur would still be voted second in Vezina voting while taking home his second consecutive Jennings Trophy.

In 1998-99, the Devils finished for the third straight year at the top of the Eastern Conference to be named favorites to win the Stanley Cup only to lose in the first round. It would be one of the worst playoff performances of Brodeur's career as he allowed a shocking 20 goals in seven games.

Another stellar regular season followed as Brodeur bounced back from his playoff disappointment. On February 15, 2000 he would record his second career goal when Simon Gagne of the Philadelphia Flyers accidentally scored on his own empty net. As Brodeur was the last Devils play to touch the puck it was credited to the all-star goaltender to become the only goaltender to score a goal in both the playoffs and regular season.

Motivated to put the disappointment of the 1999 playoffs behind him, Brodeur opened the 2000 post season by allowing only six goals in four games to sweep the Florida Panthers in the first round. Matched up against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round, the Devils continued to dominate play, leading Brodeur to two shutouts on the way to winning the series four games to two. The Devils stumbled in the Eastern Conference Finals as the Philadelphia Flyers took a commanding 3-1 lead to put the Devils playoff futures in jeopardy. Against all odds, Brodeur allowed only three goals over the final three games to eliminate the Flyers after seven games in a shocking come-from-behind victory.

The New Jersey Devils once again found themselves in the Stanley Cup Finals. Up against the Dallas Stars, the Devils opened the series with a 7-3 victory. Brodeur locked down the net from that point forward, allowing only six goals in the remaining five games as the Devils won their second Stanley Cup.

Brodeur stumbled out of the gate to start the 2000-01 NHL season, but recovered to post the third 40-win season of his career. Despite seeing his goals against average and save percentage stats slip for the first time in his career, Brodeur led the Devils to the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2001 post season.

The Devils had surprisingly little trouble with their first round opponents: the Carolina Hurricanes. Brodeur recorded two shutouts in six games to bounce Carolina from the playoffs. The second round proved more difficult as the Toronto Maple Leafs attempted to rally, eventually taking the series the full seven games. In the end, the Devils won to once again find themselves in the Eastern Conference Finals. After a hard fought series against the Maple Leafs, the Pittsburgh Penguins proved to be less than capable of competing with Brodeur and his Devils and the Devils were again playing for the Stanley Cup.

The Stanley Cup Finals turned out to be a battle of all-time greats, as Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils faced off against Patrick Roy and the Colorado Avalanche. The Devils managed to come within one game of winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, but the Avalanche found a way to win games six and seven to defeat the stalwart Devils.

The Devils found themselves upset early in the 2002 playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes, but Brodeur remained a candidate for both the Vezina and Hart Trophies. Not satisfied as the perennial runner-up for both trophies, Brodeur played one of the best seasons of his career in 2002-03 to finally win the Vezina Trophy. In the process, Brodeur also won the Jennings Trophy while earned another runner-up spot for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player.

The Devils again proved formidable in the playoffs, and upset the top-seeded Ottawa Senators to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for their third time in four seasons. Facing off against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, a team in the middle of a surprising Cinderella run to the finals, Brodeur found himself in a goaltender duel. Jean-Sebastien Giguere had been a big part of the Ducks surprising success, but it did not seem to matter to Brodeur as he posted three shutouts in the seven game series to win the Stanley Cup for the third time. In the process, Brodeur broke yet another record by posting seven shutouts during the 2003 playoffs, beating Dominik Hasek's previous mark of six.

Brodeur maintained his winning ways, taking home both the Vezina and Jennings Trophies yet again in 2004, as well as earning another nomination for the Hart Trophy. Unfortunately, this time Brodeur could not match the playoff success of the previous year and the Devils were eliminated only five games into the post season.

It would become the theme of the next several years as Brodeur dominated the regular season only to be upset in the playoffs. Even without the playoff success, Brodeur continued to solidify his name as the greatest goaltender of all time. In 2007, Brodeur set the record for most wins in a season by a goaltender with 47, although he was helped by the elimination of ties following the 2004 lockout.

Also in 2007, Brodeur became the second goaltender in NHL history to win 500 career games after defeating the Philadelphia Flyers on November 17. In 2008-09, Brodeur suffered the first major injury of his career when he tore his biceps. Backups Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes would fill in for the all-star as he recovered, managing to earn the Devils a playoff berth for Brodeur's return. Brodeur returned in February of 2009 with several NHL records in the crosshairs.

Only a few games back from injury, Brodeur had registered two shutouts to come within three of Terry Sawchuk's NHL record. Brodeur would go on to break Patrick Roy's record of 551 career wins later that year, as well as becoming the NHL goaltender with the most games played. In his crowning achievement, Brodeur recorded his 103^rd career shutout to tie Sawchuk's record, and finished 2009 with 105 career shutouts to set a new NHL record.

In a surprising move, Brodeur won another Jennings Trophy in 2010, while also earning another Vezina Trophy nomination despite being 37-years-old. Although still capable of playing at the high level needed for the NHL, rumors of retirement began to circulate. It would be a fitting end to a stellar career, as Brodeur retires on top as the single greatest goaltender of all time.

Defensemen

Scott Niedermayer
1991-2004

Scott Niedermayer is also a part of the Anaheim Ducks All-Time All-Star Team.

A born winner, Scott Niedermayer is the only player to win every major championship in the world during his impressive career. Debuting in 1991, Niedermayer quickly made an impact as an high-scoring member of the New Jersey Devils' impressive defensive corps. Anchoring the blue line and a key member of a potent power play, Niedermayer helped the Devils win the Stanley Cup in 1995.

By 1997-98, Niedermayer was a premier defenseman in the NHL, with a then-career high of 14 goals and 57 points, his best marks with the New Jersey Devils. Niedermayer, remained a key component for several more seasons, again winning the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2000 while also tying an NHL record for most shorthanded goals by a defenseman in the playoffs with two.

Niedermayer would find his team in the Finals again the next season, only to lose to the Colorado Avalanche. Not satisfied with losing the Stanley Cup, the Devils once again made it to the Finals in 2003. This time, Niedermayer found himself matched up against his younger brother Rob, then playing for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Niedermayer would have a particularly impressive playoff effort as he record 18 points in 24 games to tie team mate Jamie Langenbrunner for the league lead.

The Devils would fall on hard times during the 2003-04 NHL season as two of their star defensemen - Brian Rafalski and Scott Stevens - would miss extended periods due to injury. Scott Niedermayer stepped up, passing the 50 point mark for the second time in his career. The Devils named Niedermayer captain midway through the season when it became apparent that Scott Stevens would not be rejoining the line-up. New Jersey again found themselves in the playoffs, and Niedermayer himself was voted the NHL's best defenseman by being awarded the Norris Trophy.

Following the NHL lockout, Niedermayer left the Devils despite a very high contract offer. Niedermayer cited playing with his brother as the reason and Scott signed a contract with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, eventually winning his fourth Stanley Cup with them in 2007.

Scott Stevens
1991-2004

The St. Louis Blues early-90s habit of signing restricted free agents came back to haunt them when they snatched RFA Brendan Shanahan from the New Jersey Devils in 1991. Incapable of meeting the standard requirement of five first round picks, the Devils opted instead to claim star defenseman Scott Stevens from the Blues. Stevens protested the move as he had just signed a long-term deal with the Blues, expecting to settle his family there.

Stevens eventually did report to the Devils, playing at his typically high level to earn a spot on the second NHL All-Star Team. By the end of his first season with the Devils, Stevens had become a fan favorite thanks to his crunching body checks and scoring potency. Management took notice and named Stevens as captain for the 1992-93 NHL season.

Although a concussion restricted his play for the 1992-93 season, Stevens improved his offensive output to record a career high 60 assists and 78 points for the 1993-94 NHL season, good enough to lead all New Jersey players in scoring. Added to that, Stevens posted an incredible +53 plus/minus rating to win the NHL's Plus/Minus Award. Stevens nearly lead the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals that year, but New Jersey would be defeated by their arch-rivals, the New York Rangers. To finish off a year of near-misses, Stevens came in second to Ray Bourque in Norris Trophy voting by a mere four votes.

The Devils struggled to start the lockout shortened 1995 NHL season, but they recovered mid-season to make the playoffs. Scott Stevens was believed to be a main catalyst for the turn-around as he finish the season first in scoring among defensemen. The Devils reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1995 for the first time ever. In the Finals, Stevens knack for hard hits helped New Jersey, highlighted by a brutal hit that knocked Vyacheslav Kozlov out of the game. Detroit players protested the play, and when pushed, Stevens retaliated to their threats by pointing to Red Wings forward Dino Ciccarelli and declaring "You're next!" Needless to say, the New Jersey Devils won their first Stanley Cup.

The Devils were unable to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, stumbling through the 1995-96 NHL season, although they would rebound back to the playoffs in 1997. By this point, Scott Niedermayer had become the go-to offensive defenseman for the Devils, making them an even greater threat to opposing teams. A hip injury further hurt Stevens offensive ability, although he still provided solid defensive play.

The 1999-2000 NHL season was expected to be a big year for the New Jersey Devils. A change in philosophy saw an increased focus on offense, rather than the defensive "trap" system that they had become known for. Stevens was little help on the offensive front, scoring only 29 points, but remained strong at his own end. The 2000 playoffs were one of the best of Stevens career, as he fell one point short of his career high of 12 points in the playoffs.

More noticeable than his scoring output was his physical play. Stevens rallied his team from a 3-1 deficit in their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Philadelphia Flyers with a hard body check on the Flyers star player: Eric Lindros. The blow was enough to take Lindros out of the game with a concussion. Stevens had previously taken Flyers center Daymond Langkow out of the series in Game 2 with a similarly severe hit in open ice. The Devils came back to win the series and once again play for the Stanley Cup.

In the Finals, Stevens continued to be productive, culminating in an assist on the Stanley Cup winning goal in Game 6. For his physical play and exceptional leadership, Scott Stevens was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the post season MVP. The Devils were favorites to repeat the Stanley Cup victory, but fell to the Colorado Avalanche in seven games. Stevens, despite being near the end of his career, came in third in Norris Trophy voting.

The Devils returned to the Stanley Cup Finals again in 2003. Stevens was again instrumental in the success of the team, although he was not the offensive threat of old. His hard hitting ways again played a role when Stevens forced Anaheim Mighty Ducks' forward Paul Kariya to leave Game 6 after a vicious open ice hit. Unlike Stevens previous victims, Kariya did manage to return to the game, eventually leading the Ducks to a surprising victory to force Game 7. The Devils managed to shutout the Ducks in game seven, taking home their third Stanley Cup.

The 2003-04 season would end up being Stevens' last as a mid-season diagnoses of post-concussion syndrome made playing a risky proposition. Stevens was unable to return for the 2004 playoffs, but had expected to play in the 2004-05 NHL season. When that season was cancelled because of a lockout, Stevens relented and announced his retirement shortly before the 2005-06 NHL season.

Forwards

John MacLean
1983-1997

John MacLean began his career in 1983 after being selected 6^th overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. MacLean would become a regular face in the New Jersey Devils line-up over the next several years before experiencing a break-out 87 point season in 1988-89. He would go on to record three straight 40-goal seasons before a serious knee injury forced him to sit out the 1991-92 NHL season.

MacLean returned to the Devils line-up for the 1992-93 NHL season but had trouble finding the same scoring touch. His post-injury peak came in his second season back when MacLean recorded 37 goals and 70 points, but fell back down the scoring chart the next year. An effective defensive forward, MacLean became a key part of the New Jersey "trap" system and won the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 1995 while serving as an alternate captain.

Kirk Muller
1984-1991

Taken second overall in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, one spot after Mario Lemieux, Muller quickly became the face of the struggling New Jersey Devils franchise. By 1987 Muller would be named captain of the Devils as they made the playoffs for the first time since moving to New Jersey from Denver, Colorado.

Muller became the prototype of the New Jersey system as he played with unparalleled heart to strengthen the Devils. Muller was also an exceptional two-way player more than capable of playing at either end of the ice. While he was the heart and soul of the Devils, the team never took off with Muller in the line-up and they traded him to the Montreal Canadiens in September of 1991. Coincidentally, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer and Martin Brodeur would all debut with the Devils that season to lead them into an incredibly prosperous time.

Patrik Elias
1995-Present

The New Jersey Devils all-time leading scorer, Patrik Elias became the Devils offensive powerhouse when they were better known for their defensive capabilities. Playing his rookie season the year after New Jersey's first Stanley Cup victory, Elias slowly built his way up until hitting 35 goals and 72 points in 1999-2000. During the 2000 playoffs, Elias would be incredibly impressive, notching 7 goals and 20 points in 23 games.

It would prove to be a sign of things to come as Elias scored a franchise record 96 points in the 2000-01 NHL season. As he became a more responsible defensive player, Elias' point production dropped but was one of several New Jersey players to make an impact in the 2003 playoffs as the Devils won the Stanley Cup, the second of Elias' career.

Post-lockout, Elias formed a powerful scoring unit teamed with Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez. Despite missing most of the season after contracting Hepatitus A while playing in Russia during the NHL lockout, Elias still managed to score 45 points in 38 games as he turned the Devils around to win their division. The 2006 post season was one of Elias' most productive times as he scored 16 points - including a six-point game - in nine games.

For the 2006-07 NHL season Patrik Elias was named captain after one season spent without a captain. It would be short-lived, however, as Elias was stripped of the captaincy after one season in favor of Jamie Langenbrunner. Elias' production dipped during the 2007-08 season but he rebounded to 78 points in 2008-09. Patrik Elias remains a productive member of the Devils organization and at 34-years-old could still have many more years to come.

Second All-Star Team

F - Mel Bridgman-Scott Gomez-Jamie Langenbrunner
D - Brian Rafalski-Bruce Driver
G - Glenn Resch

Sources

NHL - http://www.nhl.com
Internet Hockey Database - http://www.hockeydb.com/
Legends of Hockey - http://www.legendsofhockey.net/