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New Jersey Devils: 3 Greatest September Moves in Franchise History

By Luke Garrison

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - APRIL 17: Scott Stevens #4 of the New Jersey Devils shoots against the Boston Bruins during game five of the first round of the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 17, 2003 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Devils won the game 3-0 and the series 4-1. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/NHLI)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - APRIL 17: Scott Stevens #4 of the New Jersey Devils shoots against the Boston Bruins during game five of the first round of the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 17, 2003 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Devils won the game 3-0 and the series 4-1. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/NHLI) /
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New Jersey Devils
Claude Lemieux of the New Jersey Devils (Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport) /

September can mean a lot of things in the hockey world. You’re one month away from the season but several weeks away from having preseason games. Another good thing about September is that it’s still the offseason so that teams can add new players by trade or signing. It gives teams a last chance to make a big splash to shake up the league. For the New Jersey Devils, they’ve certainly made some great moves in September throughout franchise history. These three signings have been legendary since these players have each won a cup with New Jersey in September. So, what are these three moves that were huge during September?

September 4, 1990- Devils Trade Sylvain Turgeon to Canadiens for Claude Lemieux

Before the 1990-91 season, Lou wanted to upgrade the right-winger position on the team. So, Lou worked his magic and got one of the better right-wingers coming into the 90s. On September 4, 1990, the Devils traded for Claude Lemieux from the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens got Sylvain Turgeon in the trade, with 47 points in his only year with the Devils. As for Claude Lemieux, in the last four years in Montreal, he averaged over 50 points in 3 out of those four years. When Lemieux got to New Jersey, he began to have several outstanding seasons.

When Lemieux played in his first-ever Devils season, he managed to get 47 points. Lemieux’s numbers skyrocketed, however, as he became the top scorer on the team in the next two years. His numbers dropped the following season, as he had 44 points in 1993-94 and 19 points in 1994-95. However, where Lemieux shined was the playoffs, and in 1993-94 and 1994-95, he played amazingly. However, the 1995 Stanley Cup run was one of his playoff years as he scored 13 goals in 20 games. During the 1995 Cup Final, Lemieux produced a significant moment in the first game where he scored the winning goal of game one late in the third period. Though he would play for the Colorado Avalanche the following season, he still finished off his first stint with the Devils with a cup. It’s great that fans got to see him play in a Devils sweater when he got traded to them in September 1990 before the season started.

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