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50 Greatest New Jersey Devils Players Of All Time

By Nick Villano

Former New Jersey Devils players (L-R) Martin Brodeur, Scott Niedermayer, Ken Daneyko and Scott Stevens during Patrik Elias #26 jersey retirement ceremony prior to a game against the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center on February 24, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)"n
Former New Jersey Devils players (L-R) Martin Brodeur, Scott Niedermayer, Ken Daneyko and Scott Stevens during Patrik Elias #26 jersey retirement ceremony prior to a game against the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center on February 24, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)"n /
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New Jersey Devils
Claude Lemieux of the New Jersey Devils (Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport) /

Greatest New Jersey Devils player of all time: 7. Claude Lemieux

Some may be surprised to see Claude Lemieux this high on the list, but the contributions of this player are undeniable. The Devils traded for him in September 1990. They sent Sylvain Turgeon to the Montreal Canadiens, as Lemieux brought the playoff experience they desired for this still young team.

Lemieux made an immediate impact, scoring goals in his first season in New Jersey. He would score 41 goals in his second season here. That would be his career high. Lemieux brought immense offense for the first few years with New Jersey, but he eventually transitioned to an opportunistic style to fit what the Devils needed. That’s how he dominated the 1995 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Lemieux won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the Devils first Stanley Cup victory in 95. He scored a ridiculous 13 goals in 20 games. He knew exactly what the Devils needed to win, and he would fit himself into that role. Unfortunately, a contract dispute ended his first stint in New Jersey there. He was traded to the Avs just days before the start of the next season.

When the Devils struggled to regain the success they had, Lamoriello traded back for Lemieux. He now had another Cup, his third overall. He joined the Devils in the middle of the 1999-00 season. A successful regular season led to decent playoff performances. He was older then, but he still put up 10 points as the Devils won the Cup, the fourth of his career.

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