The phone call to Lou Lamoriello was to talk business and availability. Scott Stevens’ intent was to figure out his schedule for the Devils’ development camp, to fulfill his duties as a special assignment coach for the organization.

Then the topic turned to a role Stevens has been ascending to ever since he retired in 2004: Whether the time was right for him to become an assistant coach.

The Devils had two openings on the staff and it seemed like a natural progression. Stevens served as part-time assistant two years ago, reluctant to travel because he didn’t want to leave his family.

But now seemed a better pairing of timing and opportunity. So after talking with the Devils’ GM again when he returned for the camp, the team made the announcement today that Stevens will become an assistant coach on Pete DeBoer’s staff.

Matt Shaw was also named an assistant coach and will run the power play, as he had the previous three seasons as an assistant for the San Jose Sharks.

Those two additions fill the holes left by Adam Oates, who became head coach of the Washington Capitals, and Larry Robinson, who took a job with the Sharks. Shaw and Stevens join Dave Barr and Chris Terreri.

Stevens was the first player in Devils history to have his number retired — his No. 4 hangs in the rafters after 13 seasons, three Stanley Cup championships, and one Conn Smythe trophy with the franchise.

Now, he will coach the defensemen, the position at which he starred and became a Hall of Famer in 2007.

Unlike Stevens’ previous commitment with the Devils, when he would not travel with the team as a member of Jacques Lemaire’s staff for the 2009-10 season, this position is full-time and full-bore.

“I’ve been away from the game,” Stevens said. “I’ve kept my foot in the door but I’ve been away a while now, just the way things have transpired with the coaching staff there was an opportunity. It just feels right now. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve been doing but I feel I’m ready to jump in full time.

"It's tough when you're not around full time. I think it's more fun being there on a full-time basis and really being involved. I'm excited to be behind the bench and be part of the game and be part of the process of helping the defenseman and working with them."

With Stevens' kids now at an age where he does not feel himself limited to only working home games, he felt the opportunity was right.

“I find I have a little bit more time on my hands and I’m itching to get back into the game,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being around the defensemen and the team full time, have some input. This is what I’ve always seen myself when I was getting close to retiring and the end of my career. I always I saw myself as a teacher and at some point an assistant coach. I guess things just seemed right right now. The kids are getting older, I have more time, the timing is right and I’m looking forward to it.”

Lamoriello had been building Stevens up to this moment, giving him different jobs in the organization before this summer. This time there was a willingness from Stevens. He had been thinking of becoming an assistant coach, expressing a desire to get closer to the ice as he missed the action. When Robinson left, it all fell into place.

“There’s no question,” Lamoriello said. “If you recall when I went behind the bench I had Scott Stevens come on the ice and worked with him hand-in-hand, knows what he brings, knows the way he thinks. We all know the type of competitor Scotty is.

“He’s really acquired the experience over the last several years. I’ve been extremely impressed with his evaluation ratings and what he offers. You never know sometimes. Great players don’t always make great coaches, but Scotty is a student of the game and always has been. I don’t think we have to question his knowledge of defense.”

Mike Vorkunov: mvorkunov@starledger.com; twitter.com/Mike_Vorkunov