5 Players That Rocked New Jersey Devils When They Departed

Scott Niedermayer

Scott Niedermayer was drafted third overall by New Jersey in the 1991 NHL Draft, and he seemed destined to become a Devils’ player for life. His slick skating and off-the-charts hockey IQ made him a dynamic talent. His claim to fame came very early on in his career when he took the puck end-to-end in game two of the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals and beat Mike Vernon to the tie the game. That goal is considered the defining moment of that series and a major factor in the surprising sweep of the mighty Red Wings.

When Scott Niedermayer left the Devils to join his brother in Anaheim following the 2003-04 season it was not a huge surprise. Niedermayer and the Devils had a history of contract disputes, but they always found a way to come to terms. It was well known that the Niedermayer brothers had a strong desire to play together, but many of us believed it would be in the swamps of New Jersey and not under the Southern California sun. When he hit free agency in the summer of 2005, Niedermayer shunned a lucrative offer from New Jersey and signed a lesser deal with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The brothers were reunited and the Devils were left standing alone at the altar once again.

Niedermayer won three Stanley Cups with the Devils and would lift a fourth alongside his brother with the Ducks. The former Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe winner helped strengthen two franchises on his way to being named one of the NHL’s 100 greatest players. He’s since been inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame and had his jersey retired by both the franchises he played for. The mark he left in New Jersey in undeniable, but his departure still leaves a sour taste in my mouth to this day.