John MacLean's short and rocky tenure as Devils coach has come to an end.



MacLean, who coached the injury-riddled team to an NHL-worst 20 points and 9-22-2 record, is replaced on an interim basis by former coach Jacques Lemaire. Assistant coaches Larry Robinson, Adam Oates and Chris Terreri will remain.

The news of the decision was first reported by Canadian radio station CKAC and later confirmed by The Star-Ledger.

"This was a decision, not one that is pleasant, but one, in my opinion, that had to be made," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "I called Jacques (Wednesday night) and asked him his thoughts. I asked him if he would come back so we can find out where we're at."

Lamoriello said he contacted Lemaire Wednesday night about the possibility of returning and to hear his assessment of the Devils season. Lamoriello said he then spoke to MacLean this morning about his decision. Lamoriello said MacLean will stay with the organization in some capacity.

"I believe in John's ability as a coach," Lamoriello said, adding it wasn't easy informing MacLean of his firing this morning but MacLean "understood." "Maybe we put we put him in a difficult situation. I think he'll coach again in this league. In my opinion, he's an outstanding coach."

Lamoriello appears ready to stay with MacLean as coach but said the last "four or five game" changed his mind.

Lemaire's third stint as Devils coach will begin tonight against the Islanders, who also have just 20 points this season. Lamoriello said Lemaire agreed only to finish out the 2010-11 season, but is "totally committed and will be coming to stay and get the job done."

"Whenever a coach is fired, he's the one taking the fall but it's really on us," captain Jamie Langenbrunner said. "Not just me -- we all should've done more. I guess when you get over the failure part, you feel like you have a new start, a new beginning.

"He's a very good defensive coach and understands the ins and outs of how to play the game," Langenbrunner said of Lemaire. "He's good offensively, too. He'll bring his expertise. I respect him as a coach. I think he's a smart hockey man. He'll do what is best for the team."

MacLean was introduced as coach in June, replacing Lemaire, who retired after the 2009-10 season following the Devils' first-round playoff loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

MacLean's first season as an NHL head coach got off to an inauspicious start as the Ilya Kovalchuk contract saga extended into September. Despite Kovalchuk's presence, the Devils have scored a mere 57 goals this season, easily the lowest total in the league.

"We were teased with signs at different times," Lamoriello said. "It's my fault for waiting so long. Unfortunately, we just weren't getting it done. We finally got our penalty kill and power play going, but for whatever reason our five-on-five did not get going."

Injuries have also debilitated the team. Goalie Martin Brodeur has battled elbow injuries and has played in only 23 games this season. Zach Parise, the Devils' leading goal-scorer in each of the past four seasons, played in just 12 games before sustaining a torn meniscus in his right knee that required surgery. He won't return until February. The Devils have also sustained multiple injuries to their defense, which has allowed 103 goals this season, also near the bottom of the league.

"When there's change, there's always an excitement level but when you look back ... it's unfortunate something had to happen," Brodeur said. "We never gave him a chance to be his own man. I've been through this 12 times. They're all the same. It's nothing anybody wanted. We all have to take responsibility. We're looking forward to having Jacques back and to see if we can get better."

MacLean has been a member of the Devils coaching staff for nine seasons, including seven as an assistant coach with the Devils and one as head coach of the AHL affiliate in Lowell, Mass. In Lowell last season, he led the team to the best record in club history.

Lemaire, a two-time Jack Adams Award winner with a career coaching record of 588-441-124-60, won the Stanley Cup with New Jersey in 1995, but right now the 65 year old's charge will be to lead the Devils out of the Eastern Conference basement. The Devils have lost their last three games by a combined score of 15-3.

The Devils have not missed the postseason since the 1995-96 season (during Lemaire's first tenure as coach) but are 18 points out of the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference heading into tonight's games.

"Jacques knows the game better than anybody," winger David Clarkson said. "I'm sure he'll have some ideas. He's one of the smartest coaches I've ever had. He simplifies the game.

"He has been here before. He knows what we can do. I don't blame John MacLean. You feel like you let him down."

By Dave Hutchinson and Steve Politi/The Star-Ledger