New Jersey's Lemaire retires - 04-26-10

Devils coach Jacques Lemaire (above), the father of the modern trap, has announced his retirement. Lemaire has been one of the league's best coaches over the past two decades during his time with the Devils and Wild. Including a brief stint as the Canadiens coach in the mid 1980s, Lemaire had a record of 588-441-125-60.  He led the Devils to the Stanley Cup in 1995.

EN Says:

-We're not trying to diminish what Lemaire accomplished as coach. He helped establish the Devils as one of the league' best franchises in the NHL over the past two decades. The Devils are on a par with the Red Wings in regards to excellence over that span due in part to Lemaire's contributions. And with the Wild, he helped turn that franchise into a regular playoff contender despite a lack of top-level talent.

Lemaire is an excellent coach. That is not in dispute.

But his trap. It was SOOOOOOO boring. Very effective. But boring. May he enjoy his retirement. But stay away. Very far away.

(Photos: Tom Olmscheid/Associated Press)