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New Jersey Devils: Five Best Lou Lamoriello Re-Acquisitions

By Charlie Borges Jr.

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 09: Lou Lamoriello addresses the fans during the former New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur jersey retirement ceremony before the game between the New Jersey Devils and the Edmonton Oilers on 9, 2016 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 09: Lou Lamoriello addresses the fans during the former New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur jersey retirement ceremony before the game between the New Jersey Devils and the Edmonton Oilers on 9, 2016 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
Claude Lemieux of the New Jersey Devils (Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport) /

2. Claude Lemieux

Claude Lemieux has a weird honor on this list. He is the first player on this list that Lamoriello did not originally draft. He was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1983 and played for the organization for seven seasons. Lamoriello needed more toughness up front and decided to make a move.

The 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Lemieux was traded to the Devils in 1990 and would spend five years with the Devils. Lemieux would win a Cup with the Devils, then promptly be traded to two different times before ending up with the Colorado Avalanche. Lemieux would cement himself in NHL Rivalry lore by becoming the match that lit the fire in the NHL’s arguably biggest rivalry. Coincidentally, the rivalry was against the Detroit Red Wings, the team Lemieux won the Stanley Cup against.

Lemieux would be a member of the Avalanche until the Devils re-acquired him during the 1999-2000 season. The trade involved a player who was listed on one of the worst re-acquisition in Brian Rolston. Lemieux would take young players like Scott Gomez and Brendan Morrison under his wing and help guide the Devils to the playoffs.

Lemieux scored 17 goals that season at 34 years old, providing scoring depth and leadership in the lower part of the lineup. The Devils would go on to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history with the help of Lemieux. While he did not contribute the same way he did back in the 1995 season, Lemieux was detrimental to the 2000 championship.

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