5 New Jersey Devils players who were better than you remember

3. Stéphane Richer

Aside from returning for his final season in the NHL in 2001-02, unlike some of the others on the list, this player only spent five seasons with the Devils. Stéphane Richer was known for his size, speed, and hard shot with a quick release — all of which put him among the most dangerous scorers in the league during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A French Canadian right wing originally playing for the Montreal Canadiens, Richer was traded to the Devils and made an immediate impact — although not properly recognized until much later in his career. He scored 64 points in his debut season in New Jersey and then had two consecutive seasons, scoring over 70 points. Where he’s underrated comes from his less-than-ideal performance in the 1995-96 season and being overshadowed by other players on the then-roster. Richer concluded his time in the league with over 350 points in over 900 games played.

2. Randy McKay

Alongside Bobby Holík and Mike Peluso, McKay stood at 6’2”, 210 pounds, and was a member of “The Crash Line,” which was formed by then-head coach Jacques Lemaire in order to compete against the larger players in the Eastern Conference in the 1990s. With this trio of players, McKay was instrumental in helping the Devils take down the Detroit Red Wings in the 1995 Stanley Cup Final. McKay was also a member of the Devils when they won the coveted cup again in 2000 against the Dallas Stars in six games. Despite not starting or ending his career with the Devils, both McKay himself and his physicality were seriously underrated. He finished his time in the NHL with 932 games played, 162 goals — 29 of which were game-winners — and 201 assists.

1. Sergei Brylin

A versatile, physical, and defensive forward capable of playing all three forward positions, Sergei Bryan is one of only five Devils who played for all three of the Devils Stanley Cup championship teams — 1995, 2000, and 2003. He played 765 games and earned 308 points, including 179 assists and 129 goals. The left-handed Moscow native played his entire 13-year NHL career with the New Jersey team and was honored with the second-ever Devils’ Ring of Honor. Brylin went on to join the Devils coaching staff as an Assistant Coach on Aug. 18, 2022, after serving as an assistant and associate coach for various Devils’ AHL affiliates. His dedication to both the NHL and the entire Devils franchise is unquestioned. It is safe to say that it's a fact both his loyalty and his skill should have been more appreciated during his time on the ice.