Pucks and Pitchforks
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5 New Jersey Devils Legends Who Would Dominate Today’s NHL

By Jonathan Bailey

20 Nov 1997: John Maclean #15 of the New Jersey Devils in action against Bryan McCabe #4 of the New York Islanders during a game at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Islanders 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
20 Nov 1997: John Maclean #15 of the New Jersey Devils in action against Bryan McCabe #4 of the New York Islanders during a game at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Islanders 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport /
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New Jersey Devils – John Maclean #15 (Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/Allsport) /

John MacLean

John MacLean faded into hockey obscurity after a failed stint as New Jersey Devils head coach, among other things, but New Jersey Devils fans remember MacLean as the team’s first elite player who helped bring the franchise into relevancy.

Widely considered the franchise’s second-best offensive player of all time, John MacLean is second in New Jersey Devils history in goals (347), fourth in assists (354), and second in points (701). Only Patrik Elias has scored more goals for the Devils, and only Elias, Niedermayer, and Scott Gomez have assisted on more goals.

Like Bruce Driver, MacLean was with the New Jersey Devils from their infancy through their first Stanley Cup victory. Although he would miss out on the Devils’ 2000 Cup win, MacLean would rejoin the organization as an assistant coach for the 2003 Cup win. In 2000, MacLean was busy playing for the New York Rangers – specialists in failure who prove the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

At the peak of his abilities, John MacLean scored 40 goals in three consecutive seasons from 1988-89 to 1990-91. MacLean was a remarkably consistent finisher during his career, scoring 20 or more goals a whopping 11 times, including the aforementioned 40-goal years. MacLean also twice received Selke votes in 1995 and 1996. Imagine a guy like that on a line with Jack Hughes in today’s NHL.

After his retirement, John MacLean ventured into coaching with varied levels of success. He was an assistant on the 2003 Cup team, served as the Lowell Devils’ head coach in 2009-10, and was head coach of the New Jersey Devils for no more than six months in 2010. MacLean has also coached for the Carolina Hurricanes and Arizona Coyotes and was most recently an assistant with the San Jose Sharks in 2021.

Imagine the impact MacLean could have today? Put him on a line with any of the current Devils stars, and everyone would hit career highs.

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