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New Jersey Devils Must Add John MacLean To A Ring of Honor

By Dave Browne

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 17: John MacLean addresses the media at a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach of the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on June 17, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 17: John MacLean addresses the media at a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach of the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on June 17, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/Getty Images) /
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Dr. John J. McMullen will forever be etched in New Jersey Devils history for boldly bringing the franchise over from the Rocky Mountain State to the Garden State in 1982. He had a vision of producing a winning culture on the ice and growing the sport of hockey in New Jersey.

In that, he succeeded as the Devils have since won three Stanley Cup Championships along with a passionate fan base. Dr. McMullen’s legacy will live on as he was the franchise’s first honoree in the Ring of Honor. With that being said, I firmly believe another person named John should be the next to get enshrined in the Devils’ Ring of Honor; John MacLean.

John MacLean scored the game-winning goal in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks to lead the Devils to their first ever playoff berth. Sure, one moment should not justify getting one’s name in the Ring of Honor. How about being the team’s second all-time leading goal scorer with 347 goals. You name an offensive category in franchise history, you will be sure to see MacLean’s name in the top two. Points, check. Power play goals, check. Shots on goal, check. Game-winning goals, check.

Since being traded from the Devils in 1997, only one player has surpassed him. Besides him and Patrik Elias, nobody is close to their numbers.

Realistically two other players in the last decade could have overtaken his name in the Devils record books. Zach Parise left via free agency to play closer to home and Ilya Kovalchuk abruptly ‘retired’ from the NHL. It’s safe to say his numbers statistics are safe for the foreseeable future. For those curious, Taylor Hall is 277 goals away from MacLean’s total.

Next. 5 Devils Players Expected To Make NHL Debut. dark

Upon retiring from the NHL, MacLean spent many more years with the teams through the coaching staff and broadcasting team. He was the face of the Devils for years, scored one of the biggest goals in franchise history, is a Stanley Cup champion and is one of the most prolific goal scorers in team history. By all accounts, he did help create the success that Dr. McMullen envisioned when he brought the team to New Jersey. It’s time that he got recognized for it.

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