Editing New Jersey Devils (section)

==History==
{{main|History of the New Jersey Devils}}

===Kansas City and Colorado===
{{main|Kansas City Scouts|Colorado Rockies (NHL)}}
In 1972, the NHL announced plans to add two [[expansion team]]s, including one in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], owned by a group headed by Edwin G. Thompson. The new team was officially named the Scouts in reference to [[Cyrus E. Dallin]]'s [[The Scout (Kansas City, Missouri statue)|statue of the same name]] which stands in that city's [[Penn Valley Park]].<ref>Laroche, chapter "Kansas City Scouts", p. 1.</ref> In the team's inaugural season, [[1974–75 NHL season|1974–75]], the Scouts were forced to wait until the ninth game to play in Kansas City's [[Hy-Vee Arena|Kemper Arena]], and did not post a win until beating the [[Washington Capitals]], their expansion brethren, in their tenth contest.<ref name="Laroche2">Laroche, chapter "Kansas City Scouts", p. 2.</ref> With 41 points in their inaugural season, the Scouts finished last in the [[Smythe Division]]; only the Capitals had fewer points in the NHL.<ref>{{cite web|title=1974–75 National Hockey League Standings|publisher=The Internet Hockey Database|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19271975.html|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> Kansas City fell to 36 points [[1975–76 NHL season|the following season]], and had a 27-game win-less streak, three short of the NHL record, which was set when the 1980–81 Winnipeg Jets went 30 games without a win.<ref>{{cite web|last=Weiner|first=Evan|title=Capitals, Scouts received rare shot at April hockey|publisher=National Hockey League|date=April 18, 2008|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=371286|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> The Scouts had difficulty drawing fans to home games, and [[National Hockey League Players' Association]] (NHLPA) leader [[Alan Eagleson]] publicly expressed concerns about whether Scouts players would be paid.<ref name="Laroche2"/>

After two seasons in Kansas City, the franchise moved to [[Denver]] and was renamed the [[Colorado Rockies (NHL)|Colorado Rockies]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Rutherford|first=Jeremy P.|title=Kansas City clings to NHL dreams as Blues visit|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=September 27, 2014|url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/kansas-city-clings-to-nhl-dreams-as-blues-visit/article_f9153628-8ca4-5d80-8492-457355bc60ed.html|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> it played at the [[McNichols Sports Arena]]. The team won its first game as the Rockies, 4–2, against the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]].<ref>Maguire, p. 141.</ref> The Rockies were in position to qualify for the playoffs 60 games into the [[1976–77 NHL season|1976–77 season]], but a streak of 18 games without a win caused them to fall from contention.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hafner|first=Dan|title=Kings Outlast Rockies, Take Over Second Place|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 1, 1977|page=E1}}</ref> The Rockies ended the campaign last in the division with a 20–46–14 record and 54 points,<ref>{{cite web|title=1976–77 National Hockey League Standings|publisher=The Internet Hockey Database|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19271977.html|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> and improved to 59 points the [[1977–78 NHL season|next season]]. Despite having the sixth-worst record in the League, the Rockies beat-out the [[Vancouver Canucks]] for second in the Division by two points and gained a playoff berth.<ref>{{cite web|title=1977–78 National Hockey League Standinds|publisher=The Internet Hockey Database|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19271978.html|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> The [[Philadelphia Flyers]] eliminated the Rockies from the playoffs in the preliminary round.<ref>{{cite news|title=Philadelphia 3, Colorado 1|work=The Globe and Mail|date=April 14, 1978|page=29}}</ref>

A lack of stability continually plagued the team. In their first eight years, the Scouts/Rockies went through ten coaches, none lasting two full seasons.

The franchise never won more than 22 games and did not return to the playoffs after 1977–78 in its six seasons in Colorado.<ref>{{cite web|last=Frei|first=Terry|title=It may not be glorious, but it's tradition nonetheless|publisher=ESPN|date=February 2, 2001|url=http://static.espn.go.com/nhl/allstar2001/s/terry_frei.html|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> Prior to the [[1978–79 NHL season|1978–79 season]], the team was sold to New Jersey trucking tycoon [[Arthur Imperatore, Sr.|Arthur Imperatore]], who intended to move the team to his home state.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Newswire: Colorado Rockies Will Go to Jersey If NHL Approves|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 30, 1978|page=E4}}</ref> The plan was criticized due to the existence of three other NHL teams in the region. In any event, their intended home in the Meadowlands was still under construction, and there was no nearby facility suitable even for temporary use; the franchise ultimately stayed in Denver.<ref>{{cite news|title=NHL ratifies Rockies sale by Vickers|work=The Globe and Mail|date=August 10, 1978|page=43}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Goldaper|first=Sam|title=Shift of Rockies to Jersey Faces Snags|work=The New York Times|date=July 1, 1978|page=13}}</ref> In 1979, the team hired [[Don Cherry (ice hockey)|Don Cherry]] as head coach and featured forward [[Lanny McDonald]]. The Rockies still posted the worst record in the NHL, and Cherry was subsequently fired after the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Don Cherry fired over Colorado's finish|work=The Globe and Mail|date=May 21, 1980|page=37}}</ref> After two more years in Denver, the Rockies were sold to a group headed by [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]] native [[John McMullen (engineer)|John McMullen]] (who also owned [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[Houston Astros]]) on May 27, 1982, and the franchise moved to New Jersey. As part of the relocation deal, the Devils had to compensate the three existing teams in the region – the [[New York Islanders]], [[New York Rangers]] and Flyers – for encroaching on their territory.<ref>{{cite news|last=Blumenstock|first=Kathy|title=Rockies' Sale, Move Approved|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 28, 1982|page=D1}}</ref>

===New Jersey===

====1982–1993: Building the foundation====
[[File:Jersey Devil.svg|thumb|150px|The mythological [[Jersey Devil]] was the inspiration for the team's name|alt=Drawing of a monster with the head of a goat, the body of a horse, bat wings, and a forked tail.]]
On June 30, 1982, the team was renamed the New Jersey Devils, after the legend of the [[Jersey Devil]], a creature that allegedly inhabited the [[New Jersey Pine Barrens|Pine Barrens]] of [[South Jersey]]. Over 10,000 people voted in a contest held to select the name.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lawrie |last=Mifflin |author2=Katz, Michael |title=Scouting; 'Jersey Devils' Wins Name Poll |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/30/sports/scouting-jersey-devils-wins-name-poll.html|work=The New York Times |date=June 30, 1982 |access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref> The team began play in [[East Rutherford, New Jersey]], at the [[Brendan Byrne Arena]], later renamed the Continental Airlines Arena and then the Izod Center, where they called home through the 2006–07 season.<ref name="Izod">{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Brent|title=Deal to close Izod Center expected to be announced Thursday|work=The Star-Ledger|date=January 15, 2015|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/01/izod_center_could_soon_close_report_says.html|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Prudential">{{cite web|title=Prudential Center|publisher=ESPN|url=http://espn.go.com/nhl/team/stadium/_/name/nj/new-jersey-devils|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113012626/http://espn.go.com/nhl/team/stadium/_/name/nj/new-jersey-devils|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2013|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref> With their relocation, the newly christened Devils were placed in the [[Eastern Conference (NHL)|Wales Conference]]'s [[Patrick Division]]. Their first game ended in a 3–3 tie against the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]], with their first goal scored by [[Don Lever]].<ref name="first">{{cite web|last=Rosen|first=Dan|title=1982–83: The First Season|publisher=New Jersey Devils|url=http://devils.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=41708|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref> Their first win, a 3–2 victory, came in New Jersey at the expense of the Rangers.<ref name="datesinhistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.newjerseydevils.com/2005/html/history/alltimestats/PDF/DatesInHistory.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060324011352/http://www.newjerseydevils.com/2005/html/history/alltimestats/PDF/DatesInHistory.pdf|archive-date=March 24, 2006|title=Dates in Devils History|publisher=New Jersey Devils|year=2005|access-date=March 25, 2006}}</ref> The team finished with a 17–49–14 record, putting them three points above last place in the Patrick Division.<ref name="first"/>

In the following season, on November 19, 1983, the Devils were criticized by [[Wayne Gretzky]] after a 13–4 loss to the [[Edmonton Oilers]]. In a post-game interview, Gretzky said that the Devils were "putting a [[Mickey Mouse#Pejorative use of Mickey's name|Mickey Mouse operation]] on the ice."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=860&dat=19831122&id=ioRUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C48DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4350,4965221|title=Gretzky blasts Devils as 'Mickey Mouse' team|newspaper=Daily Record|date=November 22, 1983}}</ref> Later, Gretzky said that his comment was "blown out of proportion." In response, many Devils fans wore [[Mickey Mouse]] apparel when the Oilers returned to New Jersey on January 15, 1984, despite a 5–4 loss.<ref name="mickeymouse">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1982&dat=19840117&id=Jl1GAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bi4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1540,1445786|title=Oilers grab the cheese from 'Mickey Mouse' Devils|newspaper=The Evening News|author=Harris, Mike|date=January 17, 1984|access-date=March 25, 2006}}</ref> Also in the [[1983–84 NHL season|1983–84 season]], the Devils hosted the annual [[National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL All-Star Game]]. New Jersey's [[Chico Resch]] was the winning goaltender, and Devils defenseman [[Joe Cirella]] tallied a goal as the Wales Conference beat the Campbell Conference 7–6.<ref name="datesinhistory" /> Overall, the team did not achieve much success. Head coach [[Bill MacMillan]] was fired 20 games into the season, whereupon [[Tom McVie]] was named the new coach. The Devils won only 17 games and after the season, [[Doug Carpenter]] succeeded McVie.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://devils.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=41709|title=1983–84: Growing Pains Lead to Promise|publisher=New Jersey Devils|author=Rosen, Dan|access-date=March 25, 2006}}</ref>

[[File:ContinentalAirlinesArena.jpg|thumb|left|The Devils' first home venue in New Jersey was [[Brendan Byrne Arena]] (pictured in 2006 after being renamed).]]
On January 22, 1987, a massive blizzard hit the [[New York metropolitan area]] resulting in only 334 fans attending the game between the Devils and the [[Calgary Flames]] at Brendan Byrne Arena where the Devils rallied to win 7–5. The Devils officially recognized the fans that made the journey to the game the "334 Club". The fans received a letter that read, "You are hereby inducted and given lifetime membership to a club that cannot grow – the 334 Club".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boylen |first1=Rory |title=When 334 fans showed up for Devils-Flames game |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/when-334-fans-showed-up-for-devils-flames-game/ |website=www.sportsnet.ca |access-date=29 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Politi |first1=Steve |title=Remembering the night 334 fans watched the Devils play in a blizzard 30 years ago |url=https://www.nj.com/devils/2017/01/the_blizzard_game_remembering_the_strangest_night.html |website=www.nj.com |access-date=December 17, 2024}}</ref>

The Devils assembled a core of players that included [[John MacLean (ice hockey)|John MacLean]], [[Bruce Driver]], [[Ken Daneyko]], [[Kirk Muller]] and [[Pat Verbeek]], with Resch as their goaltender.<ref name="cusp">{{cite web|last=Rosen|first=Dan|title=1986–87: On The Cusp|publisher=New Jersey Devils|url=http://devils.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=41712|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> Their record improved each season between 1983–84 and 1986–87. However, they were unable to reach the playoffs.<ref name="statistics">{{cite web|title=New Jersey Devils Statistics and History|publisher=The Internet Hockey Database|url= http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/new-jersey-devils-7066.html|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> Despite their improvement, the Devils remained last in the Patrick Division in 1985–86 and 1986–87.<ref name="cusp"/> McMullen hired [[Providence College]] athletic director [[Lou Lamoriello]] as team president in April 1987.<ref>{{cite news|last=Krasner|first=Steven|title=Lou Lamoriello leaves PC with mixed emotions: Friars' A.D. headed to NHL Devils after 28-year association|work=Providence Journal|date=May 1, 1987|page=1}}</ref> To gain greater control over franchise operations, Lamoriello appointed himself general manager before the [[1987–88 NHL season|1987–88 season]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Yannis|first=Alex|title=Devils' Front Office Undergoes Change|work=The New York Times|date=September 11, 1987|page=D19}}</ref>

The 1987–88 Devils garnered the franchise's first winning record.<ref name="statistics"/> On the final day of the regular season, they were tied with their rivals, the Rangers, for the final playoff spot in the Patrick Division. After New York defeated the [[Quebec Nordiques]] 3–0, the Devils needed to defeat the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] for a postseason berth. The Devils were trailing 3–2 midway through the third period when John MacLean tied the game, and with 2:39 left in overtime, he added the winning goal. Although the Rangers and Devils both finished with 82 points, the Devils had two more wins, sending them to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history as the New Jersey Devils.<ref>{{cite news|title=Devils earn playoff berth|work=The Globe and Mail|date=April 4, 1988|page=C2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Yannis|first=Alex|title=Devils' Playoff Blight Ends|work=The New York Times|date=April 4, 1988|page=C1}}</ref> The team made it all the way to the conference finals in the [[1988 Stanley Cup playoffs]], but lost to the [[Boston Bruins]] in seven games. In that series, head coach [[Jim Schoenfeld]] verbally abused referee [[Don Koharski]] after the third game in the Devils' 6–1 loss. During the exchange, Koharski fell and Schoenfeld said to him "Good, 'cause you fell, you fat pig! Have another doughnut! Have another doughnut!"<ref name="Maguire52">Maguire, p. 52.</ref><ref name="doughnutpig">{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Here-s-your-anniversary-doughnut-you-fat-pig?urn=nhl,81086|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125063710/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Here-s-your-anniversary-doughnut-you-fat-pig?urn=nhl,81086|date=May 6, 2008|archive-date=January 25, 2017|title=Here's your anniversary doughnut, you fat pig|work=Yahoo Sports|access-date=July 29, 2017}}</ref> Schoenfeld was given a suspension by the NHL, but due to a favorable court order, he was able to coach in the fourth game of the series. In protest, referee Dave Newell and linesmen Gord Broseker and Ray Scapinello refused to work the game. Three off-ice officials – Paul McInnis, Jim Sullivan and Vin Godleski – were tracked down to work the game.<ref name="Maguire52"/> After the injunction was lifted, Schoenfeld's suspension was imposed in the following game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Weiner|first=Evan|title=On-ice officials took the ice in 1988|publisher=National Hockey League|date=May 9, 2008|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/off-ice-officials-took-the-ice-in-1988/c-371528|access-date=November 5, 2017}}</ref>

In the [[1988–89 NHL season|next season]], the Devils once again slipped below .500 and missed the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosen|first=Dan|title=1988–89: Paving the Way|publisher=New Jersey Devils|url=http://devils.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=41714|access-date=January 25, 2015}}</ref> Among the postseason player changes Lamoriello made in the off-season was the signing of two Soviet stars – [[Viacheslav Fetisov]] and [[Sergei Starikov]]. The Devils drafted Fetisov years earlier in the [[1983 NHL entry draft]], but the [[government of the Soviet Union|Soviet Government]] did not allow Fetisov, who was a member of the [[Soviet Union national ice hockey team|national team]], to leave the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=Two Soviet Defensemen Sign with the Devils|work=Philadelphia Inquirer|date=June 27, 1989|url=http://articles.philly.com/1989-06-27/sports/26108368_1_sergei-starikov-lou-lamoriello-viacheslav-fetisov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618214846/http://articles.philly.com/1989-06-27/sports/26108368_1_sergei-starikov-lou-lamoriello-viacheslav-fetisov|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 18, 2015|access-date=January 25, 2015}}</ref> Shortly after, the Devils signed Fetisov's defense partner, [[Alexei Kasatonov]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Yannis|first=Alex|title=Hockey; Reflecting on Russia, With Hope And Fear|work=The New York Times|date=December 25, 1991|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/25/sports/hockey-reflecting-on-russia-with-hope-and-fear.html|access-date=January 25, 2015}}</ref>

The team changed coaches midway through each of the next two seasons. Schoenfeld was replaced with [[John Cunniff]] in [[1989–90 NHL season|1989–90]], and [[Tom McVie]] was hired midway through the [[1990–91 NHL season|1990–91 season]] and helmed the team through its third-straight division semifinals' elimination in [[1991–92 NHL season|1991–92]].<ref name="statistics"/> [[Herb Brooks]], who coached the 1980 U.S. Olympic "[[Miracle on Ice]]" team, was brought in for the [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93 season]], but when the team yet again was eliminated in the division semifinals, he was fired and replaced by former [[Montreal Canadiens]] head coach [[Jacques Lemaire]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Herb Brooks leaves Devils; management is critical|work=Gainesville Sun|agency=Associated Press|date=June 1, 1993|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19930601&id=fPIRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cOoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1238,152130|access-date=January 26, 2015}}</ref><ref name="oral">{{cite web|last=Pickens|first=Pat|title=1994–95 champion Devils: An oral history, Pt. 1|publisher=SportsNet|date=September 15, 2014|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/1994-95-stanley-cup-champion-new-jersey-devils-an-oral-history-20-years-later-part-1/|access-date=January 26, 2015}}</ref>

====1993–2000: A Championship franchise====
Under Lemaire, the team played during the [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94 regular season]] as members of the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division (with the NHL renaming its divisions to better reflect geography that season) with a lineup that included defensemen [[Scott Stevens]], [[Scott Niedermayer]] and [[Ken Daneyko]]; forwards [[Stéphane Richer (ice hockey forward)|Stephane Richer]], John MacLean, [[Bobby Holík|Bobby Holik]] and [[Claude Lemieux]]; and goaltenders [[Chris Terreri]] and [[Martin Brodeur]], the latter goaltender was honored as the NHL's top rookie with the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]].<ref name="oral"/><ref>{{cite web|title=1993–94 New Jersey Devils roster and statistics|publisher=The Internet Hockey Database|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000511994.html|access-date=January 27, 2015}}</ref> The Devils scored 330 times in the regular season and set a franchise record with 106 points, second behind the New York Rangers in the Atlantic Division. The Devils and Rangers met in a conference finals match-up, which went seven games. Going into Game 6 in New Jersey, the Devils led the series three games to two. Before the game, Rangers captain [[Mark Messier]] guaranteed that the Rangers would win Game 6. Messier led his team back, netting a [[Hat-trick#Variations|natural hat-trick]] to help the Rangers overcome an early 2–0 Devils lead and force a decisive contest. In Game 7, the Devils' [[Valeri Zelepukin]] tied the score at 1–1 with 7.7 seconds remaining, but the Devils were defeated in double overtime on a goal by [[Stephane Matteau]].<ref name="oral"/>

[[File:The N.J. Devils win the 1995 Stanley Cup.jpeg|thumb|The Devils celebrate moments after defeating the [[Detroit Red Wings]] in the [[1995 Stanley Cup Finals]]. The victory brought the club its first [[Stanley Cup]].|alt=Teammates mob Martin Brodeur moments after the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals]]
Despite the setback, the team returned to the conference finals during the [[1994–95 NHL lockout|lockout]]-shortened [[1994–95 NHL season|1994–95 season]] and defeated the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pickens|first=Pat|title=1994–95 champion Devils: An oral history, Pt. 3|publisher=SportsNet|date=September 17, 2014|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/1994-95-champion-devils-an-oral-history-pt-3/|access-date=January 29, 2015}}</ref> They swept the heavily favored [[Detroit Red Wings]] to win the team's first-ever Stanley Cup, as they brought the Cup across the Hudson River from New York, after the Rangers had won it the year before. The 1994–95 Devils team became the first to give the players a day with the Stanley Cup, a tradition that lives on with each Cup winner.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stanley Cup for a Day|url=http://www.realclearsports.com/lists/celebratory_traditions/stanley_cup_for_a_day.html?state=stop}}</ref> Claude Lemieux was awarded the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] as playoffs MVP.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pickens|first=Pat|title=1994–95 champion Devils: An oral history, Pt. 5|publisher=SportsNet|date=September 19, 2014|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/1994-95-champion-devils-an-oral-history-pt-5/|access-date=January 29, 2015}}</ref> The success came amid constant rumors that the team would move for the third time in its history to [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Pickens|first=Pat|title=1994–95 champion Devils: An oral history, Pt. 4|publisher=SportsNet|date=September 18, 2014|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/1994-95-champion-devils-an-oral-history-pt-4/|access-date=January 29, 2015}}</ref>
Staring at the prospect of losing the team, the state agreed to fund a renovation of the Devils' arena.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sandomir|first=Richard|title=Hockey – Devils and New Jersey Call Truce and Strike Deal|work=The New York Times|date=July 14, 1995|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/14/sports/hockey-devils-and-new-jersey-call-truce-and-strike-deal.html|access-date=January 29, 2015}}</ref> Nashville eventually received an NHL franchise three years later, when the [[Nashville Predators]] joined the league as an expansion team.

The Devils missed the playoffs by two points the following season, with a 37–33–12 record and finishing twelfth overall in the league. While they finished with more points than all but three teams in the Western Conference, they were beaten by the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East after a 5–2 loss to the [[Ottawa Senators]] on the last day of the regular season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosen|first=Dan|title=1995–96: Continuing to Battle|publisher=New Jersey Devils|url=http://devils.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=41721|access-date=January 31, 2015}}</ref> It marked the first time in 26 years that a defending Cup champion failed to reach the playoffs.<ref>{{cite news|last=Canavan|first=Tom|title=Laying Devils' Egg: Defending Champions Miss Out on Playoffs: Ottawa 5, New Jersey 2|work=Los Angeles Daily News|agency=Associated Press|date=April 14, 1996|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/LAYING+DEVILS%27+EGG%3A+DEFENDING+CHAMPIONS+MISS+OUT+ON+PLAYOFFS+%3A+OTTAWA...-a083946272|access-date=January 31, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305075357/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/LAYING%20DEVILS%27%20EGG%3A%20DEFENDING%20CHAMPIONS%20MISS%20OUT%20ON%20PLAYOFFS%20%3A%20OTTAWA...-a083946272|url-status=dead}}</ref> For the remainder of the decade the Devils won the Atlantic Division and finished as the first overall team in the Eastern Conference all three seasons, but were unable to make a deep playoff run. Despite posting 104 points in the [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97 season]] and 107 in [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98]],<ref name="statistics"/> they were ousted by the Rangers 4–1 in the conference semifinals of the [[1997 Stanley Cup playoffs|1997 playoffs]] and in the conference quarterfinals by the Senators four games to two in [[1998 Stanley Cup playoffs|1998 playoffs]].<ref name="playoff">{{cite news|title=New Jersey Devils playoff history|work=Yahoo! Sports|date=April 28, 2009|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=newjerseypost|access-date=January 31, 2015|archive-date=October 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007152752/https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=newjerseypost|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lemaire resigned after that season and was replaced by assistant coach [[Robbie Ftorek]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Vacchiano|first=Ralph|title=Ftorek Takes Reins: Devs Tab Robbie as Jacques Successor|work=Daily News|location=New York|date=May 22, 1998|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/ftorek-takes-reins-devs-tab-robbie-jacques-successor-article-1.800942|access-date=January 31, 2015}}</ref> However, the [[1998–99 NHL season|next season]] ended as the previous one, with a conference quarterfinals' loss, this time to the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games.<ref name="playoff"/>

[[File:StanleyCupDevs1999-00Engraved.jpg|left|thumb|The [[1999–2000 New Jersey Devils season|1999–2000 Devils]] engraved on the Stanley Cup. The club won its second Stanley Cup that season.|alt=A section of the Stanley Cup engravings headlined "New Jersey Devils 1999–2000".]]
Late in the [[1999–2000 NHL season|1999–2000 season]], Lamoriello made the decision to fire Ftorek and replace him with assistant coach [[Larry Robinson]], which the ''[[New York Post]]'''s Mark Everson described as "pure panic" at the prospect of another early-round playoff elimination.<ref name="panicky">{{cite news|last=Everson|first=Mark|title=Panicky Devils Fire Ftorek; Robinson Steps Up as Coach|work=New York Post|date=March 24, 2000|url=https://nypost.com/2000/03/24/panicky-devils-fire-ftorek-robinson-steps-up-as-coach/|access-date=January 31, 2015}}</ref> The Devils were in position to reach the playoffs, but Lamoriello reacted to a stretch of 17 games in which the team went 5–10–2.<ref name="panicky"/> New Jersey followed the move by defeating the [[Florida Panthers]], the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] and the Philadelphia Flyers during the postseason to make the finals.<ref name="playoff"/> In the finals, the Devils reached the top again, defeating the defending champion [[Dallas Stars]] in six games to win the Stanley Cup for the second time.<ref name="back">{{cite web|last=Marin|first=Eric|title=Looking back at the 2000 Stanley Cup|publisher=New Jersey Devils|date=January 5, 2010|url=http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=512447|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref> Veterans such as Stevens, Holik, Niedermayer, Daneyko, and Brodeur were joined by new players acquired in the intervening five years, including [[Patrik Eliáš|Patrik Elias]], [[Petr Sýkora|Petr Sykora]], [[Jason Arnott]], [[Alexander Mogilny]] and Calder Trophy recipient [[Scott Gomez]].<ref>{{cite web|title=1999–00 New Jersey Devils Roster and Statistics|publisher=Hockey-Reference|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/NJD/2000.html|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref> The Devils' second championship run included a come-from-behind victory in the conference finals. They trailed the Flyers three games to one, but rebounded to win three-straight games and the series. This was the first time in conference finals history that a 3–1 series deficit was erased.<ref name="2000ConfFinal">{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2000-05-27/sports/25616118_1_flyers-coach-craig-ramsay-new-jersey-devils-captain-eric-lindros|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220104427/http://articles.philly.com/2000-05-27/sports/25616118_1_flyers-coach-craig-ramsay-new-jersey-devils-captain-eric-lindros|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 20, 2014| title = God Bless 'Em Anyway| access-date =November 30, 2006| work = [[Philadelphia Daily News]]| last=Bowen|first=Les| date=May 27, 2000}}</ref> This series featured a hit that captain Scott Stevens laid on Flyers center [[Eric Lindros]] in the seventh game, which effectively ended Lindros' career in Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Randy|title=Watch: Eric Lindros' Flyers career ended on headshot by Devils great Scott Stevens|work=The Star-Ledger|date=November 20, 2014|url=http://www.nj.com/flyers/index.ssf/2014/11/watch_eric_lindros_flyers_career_ended_on_headshot_by_devils_great_scott_stevens.html|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref> Stevens was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy,<ref name="ConnSmythe">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/trophies/smythe.html |title=NHL Conn Smythe Trophy Winners |access-date=November 25, 2006 |publisher=National Hockey League |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106190353/http://www.nhl.com/trophies/smythe.html |archive-date=January 6, 2010}}</ref> as the Devils clinched the Stanley Cup on Arnott's goal in double-overtime of Game 6 in Dallas.<ref name="back"/>

In 2000, McMullen sold the team to Puck Holdings, an affiliate of [[Yankee Global Enterprises|YankeeNets]] (now Yankee Global Enterprises) for $176&nbsp;million. The owners wanted to program Devils games on what eventually became the [[YES Network]] and move the team to a new arena in [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]]. Neither of these proposals became reality under Puck Holdings' ownership.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2004/1129/124_3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041114131633/http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2004/1129/124_3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2004|title=Ice Capades|last=Ozanian|first=Michael K/|date=November 29, 2004|work=[[Forbes]]|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref> For the start of the next season, Lamoriello was appointed CEO of both the Devils and the [[New Jersey Nets]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). He remained at the helm of the basketball team until it was sold with the intention of moving it to [[Brooklyn]] in 2004, a move that did not come to pass at that time.<ref>{{cite news|author=Everson, Darren|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/lou-leave-nets-stay-top-devil-article-1.625114|title=Lou will leave Nets, stay on as top Devil|date=January 23, 2004|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref>

====2001–2007: Third Cup and lockout====
Led by the Elias-Arnott-Sykora line (The A Line) on offense and the goaltending of Brodeur (who appeared in a record 97 games between the regular season and playoffs),<ref>{{cite news|last=Diamos|first=Jason|title=2001 N.H.L. Playoffs: Eastern Conference Finals; Devils' Top Line Talks a Great Game|work=The New York Times|date=May 21, 2001|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/21/sports/2001-nhl-playoffs-eastern-conference-finals-devils-top-line-talks-a-great-game.html|access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sportsticker Hockey Note|work=USA Today|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/cup/newjersey-thumbs.htm|access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> the Devils won their division, finished first overall in the East, led the entire league in scoring, and reached the [[2001 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] for the second-straight year in [[2000–01 NHL season|2001]]. They lost the series to the [[Colorado Avalanche]] in seven games despite holding a 3–2 series lead after Game 5.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martin Brodeur: The Chase to 552|publisher=ESPN|date=March 18, 2009|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/notebook?page=notebook/nhl_brodeur_09record|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321030153/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/notebook?page=notebook/nhl_brodeur_09record|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 21, 2009|access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> [[John Madden (ice hockey)|John Madden]] became the first player in franchise history to win the [[Frank J. Selke Trophy]] for top defensive forward.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frank J. Selke Trophy winners|date=June 14, 2007|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=nhlselke|access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> In the [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02 season]], they were expected to be contenders once again,<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021027074839/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/darren_eliot/news/2002/04/14/east_breakdown/|archive-date=October 27, 2002|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/darren_eliot/news/2002/04/14/east_breakdown/|title=Devil of a surge: New Jersey looking good to come out of the East|last=Eliot|first=Darren|date=April 14, 2002|publisher=CNN/[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=August 30, 2006}}</ref> and they finished the season as the third-best team in the Atlantic Division, with 95 points. The Devils entered the playoffs as a sixth seed, but lost in the conference quarterfinals to the third-seeded [[Carolina Hurricanes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/cup02/games/2002-04-27-car-nj.htm|title=Francis, Hurricanes end 16-year drought|first=Tom|last=Canavan|agency=Associated Press|date=April 27, 2002|work=USA Today|access-date=March 21, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Stanley Cup Bush Devils.jpg|thumb|left|The Devils present President [[George W. Bush]] with a jersey after winning the [[2003 Stanley Cup Finals|2003 Stanley Cup championship]].|alt=President George W. Bush receives the New Jersey Devils players in the White House doors. Bush holds the Devils jersey with the name Bush and the number 1. To the left of the crowd, the Stanley Cup sits on a table.]]
Prior to the [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03 season]], the Devils traded A-Line stars Arnott and Sykora in two separate transactions. Arnott and [[Randy McKay]] were sent to Dallas to acquire forwards [[Joe Nieuwendyk]] and [[Jamie Langenbrunner]], while Sykora was part of a package to receive [[Jeff Friesen]] from Anaheim. The revitalized forward group would ultimately lead the team to first in the Atlantic Division with 108 points.<ref name="three">{{cite web|last=Rosen|first=Dan|title=2002–03: Bringing Home Number Three|publisher=New Jersey Devils|url=http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=458147|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref> Their [[2003 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoff]] run included victories over Boston and Tampa Bay in the first two rounds, followed by a game seven conference finals series victory over the [[Presidents' Trophy]]-winning Ottawa Senators; decided by a goal from Friesen in the final three minutes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Diamos|first=Jason|title=Hockey; Friesen's Late Goal Gives Devils A Date With Ducks in the Finals|work=The New York Times|date=May 24, 2003|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/24/sports/hockey-friesen-s-late-goal-gives-devils-a-date-with-ducks-in-the-finals.html|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref> In the [[2003 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]], the Devils faced the [[Anaheim Ducks|Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]] in a back-and-forth battle, as both teams won all of their home games. After defeating the Mighty Ducks in the seventh game of the finals in New Jersey, the franchise won their third Stanley Cup.<ref name="three"/> After the series, Daneyko, a long-time fan favorite who spent his entire two-decade career with the Devils,<ref name="Dano">{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/cup/2003-06-10-notes-daneyko_x.htm|title=Veteran Daneyko sees first action in last game|work=USA Today|date=June 10, 2003|access-date=November 27, 2006 | first=Melissa | last=Geschwind}}</ref> announced his retirement. Brodeur was awarded the [[Vezina Trophy]] as outstanding goaltender in the regular season for the first time in his career, having won 41 games in the regular season to top the NHL.<ref name="three"/>

In the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]], Brodeur took home the Vezina Trophy again.<ref name="Vezina">{{cite web|title=Vezina Trophy winners|date=June 14, 2007|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=nhlvezina|access-date=February 5, 2015}}</ref> Despite losing team captain Scott Stevens in the 38th game of the season to a concussion,<ref>{{cite news|title=Absence of Stevens hurt Devils, Brodeur says|work=The Globe and Mail|date=April 21, 2004|page=S3}}</ref> the Devils finished second in the Atlantic Division with 100 points. With the sixth seed in the [[2004 Stanley Cup playoffs|Stanley Cup playoffs]], the Devils lost in the conference quarterfinals to the Philadelphia Flyers four games to one.<ref>{{cite web|title=2003–04 NHL Season Summary|publisher=Hockey-Reference|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2004.html|access-date=February 5, 2015}}</ref> In March 2004, near the end of the season, [[Lehman Brothers]] executive [[Jeffrey Vanderbeek|Jeff Vanderbeek]] purchased a controlling interest from Puck Holdings and resigned from Lehman Brothers to assume full-time ownership. He had been a minority owner since the 2000 sale. Like Puck Holdings/YankeeNets, Vanderbeek largely left the Devils in Lamoriello's hands.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/03/sports/hockey-wall-street-executive-to-purchase-devils.html|title=Wall Street Executive to Buy Devils|work=The New York Times|date=March 3, 2004|access-date=August 30, 2006 | first=Dave | last=Caldwell}}</ref>

Vanderbeek was a strong proponent of the proposed arena in Newark, which first received funding from the city council during Puck Holdings' ownership in 2002.<ref>{{cite news|title=Newark approves $200M for arena|publisher=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]]|last=Brennan|first=John|date=October 17, 2002}}</ref> After legal battles over both [[eminent domain]] and the city's financial participation in the arena project, the final deal was approved by council in October 2004, during the early months of the [[2004–05 NHL lockout|lockout]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk1JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2NTk2NDMyJnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016151615/http://northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk1JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2NTk2NDMyJnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg%3D%3D |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |title=Newark arena for Devils 'a done deal' |publisher=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]] |last=Brennan |first=John |date=October 7, 2004 |access-date=August 30, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the groundbreaking occurred almost exactly a year later.<ref name="groundbreak">{{cite web|url=http://www.newjerseydevils.com/2005/html/theteam/teamnews/nwk-groundbreaking.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908102335/http://www.newjerseydevils.com/2005/html/theteam/teamnews/nwk-groundbreaking.php|archive-date=September 8, 2006|title=Newark Breaks Ground for Devils Arena|access-date=August 30, 2006|date=October 3, 2005|publisher=New Jersey Devils}}</ref> Nonetheless, in January 2006, financial issues threatened to halt the deal, as the Devils did not provide the city with a required letter of credit until the last possible day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/deadline-devils-finally-realize-newark-arena-goal-article-1.559105|title=At deadline, Devils finally realize Newark arena goal|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|last=Everson|first=Darren|date=January 25, 2006|access-date=February 6, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:MartinBrodeur.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Martin Brodeur]] led the Devils to three Stanley Cup championships, and is the NHL's all-time leader in goaltender wins, shutouts, and goals by a goaltender.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://statshockey.homestead.com/alltimewins.html|title=NHL All-Time Goalie Wins Leaders|publisher=Stats Hockey|date=April 20, 2006|access-date=September 3, 2006}}</ref>|alt=A man in full hockey goaltender equipment: mask combining helmet and cage, large gloves on the hands, leg pads atop his pants, and a wide stick on his right hand.]] 
Though construction was well underway, in late summer 2006, new Mayor of Newark [[Cory Booker]] promised to reevaluate the deal and considered backing out.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2OTUxNDI1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016151606/http://northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2OTUxNDI1|archive-date=October 16, 2007|title=Newark mayor-elect sees no need for 2 arenas|publisher=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]]|last=Brennan|first=John|date=June 20, 2006|access-date=August 30, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.philly.com/2006-08-16/news/25396155_1_cory-booker-booker-talks-mayor-sharpe-james|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207063804/http://articles.philly.com/2006-08-16/news/25396155_1_cory-booker-booker-talks-mayor-sharpe-james|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 7, 2015|title=A new light in Newark|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|last=Burton|first=Cynthia|date=August 16, 2006|access-date=August 30, 2006}}</ref> In October, Booker conceded there would be "a first-class arena built in the city of Newark, whether we like it or not,"<ref>{{cite news |last=Brennan |first=John |title=Devils arena will go forward, Booker says |url=http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2MDYmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwMDgwMjQmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016151620/http://northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2MDYmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwMDgwMjQmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkz |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |publisher=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]]
|date=October 20, 2006 |access-date=October 21, 2006}}</ref> and soon after the Devils struck a deal including both property and monetary givebacks that appeased city officials.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brennan |first=John |title=Newark, Devils OK arena deal |url=http://www.bergenrecord.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MDEyODgwJnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928074411/http://www.bergenrecord.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MDEyODgwJnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg%3D%3D |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |publisher=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]] |date=October 31, 2006 |access-date=October 31, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The arena, which was named the [[Prudential Center]] when Newark-based [[Prudential Financial]] purchased naming rights in early 2007,<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=458085|title=Devils Arena Entertainment, LLC and Prudential Financial, Inc. Announce Naming-Rights Deal for Prudential Center|publisher=New Jersey Devils|date=January 8, 2007|access-date=February 19, 2007}}</ref> opened shortly after the start of the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/penguins/2006/07/31/290M-in-funding-tight-but-doable-for-arena/stories/200607310114|title=$290M in funding tight, but doable, for arena|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|last=Rotstein|first=Gary|date=July 31, 2006|access-date=August 30, 2006}}</ref>

The [[2004–05 NHL season|2004–05 season]] was canceled due to the lockout; many Devils players played in European leagues and in the [[Ice Hockey World Championships|hockey world championships]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=9951&hubname=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613200214/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=9951&hubname=|archive-date=June 13, 2007 |title=NHLers in Europe|publisher=TSN|access-date=October 31, 2006}}</ref> Patrik Elias, who was playing in the [[Russian Superleague]], contracted [[Hepatitis|hepatitis A]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/elias-a-determined-devil-1.605485 |title=Elias a determined Devil|date=May 3, 2006|publisher=CBC Sports|last=Harrison|first=Doug|access-date=August 30, 2006}}</ref> Faced with Elias' indefinite recovery timetable, plus the loss of defensive stalwarts Scott Niedermayer to free agency and Scott Stevens to retirement, Lamoriello signed veteran defenseman [[Dan McGillis]] and two former Devils, winger Alexander Mogilny and defenseman [[Vladimir Malakhov (ice hockey)|Vladimir Malakhov]], none of whom finished the season on the ice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2609885|title=Devils deal Malakhov to Sharks to lower payroll|date=October 3, 2006|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=November 16, 2006}}</ref> In July 2005, the team announced that head coach [[Pat Burns]] would not return for the [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06 season]] after being diagnosed with cancer for the second time in little more than a year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/devils-burns-battling-cancer-again-won-t-coach-next-year-1.541214|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050711003811/http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2005/07/08/Sports/burns_cancer050708.html|archive-date=July 11, 2005 | title=Devils' Burns battling cancer again, won't coach next year|publisher=CBC Sports|date=July 8, 2006|url-status=live|access-date=August 30, 2006}}</ref> Assistant coach Larry Robinson, the team's head coach from 2000 to 2002, was promoted to start the season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Diamos|first=Jason|title=Robinson's Heart (and Soul) Belong to the Devils|work=The New York Times|date=September 15, 2005|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/15/sports/hockey/15devils.html|access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref>

The Devils struggled early in the 2005–06 season, ending the 2005 calendar year with a 16–18–5 record.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/stanleycup2006/content/features/east_contenders.html| title=The Contenders: Eastern Conference|year=2006|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=August 30, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703045949/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/stanleycup2006/content/features/east_contenders.html|archive-date=July 3, 2007}}</ref> Robinson resigned as head coach on December 19, and Lamoriello moved down to the bench.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story/?ID=155830&hubname=nhl-devils|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120454/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story/?ID=155830&hubname=nhl-devils|archive-date=September 29, 2007|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|title=Lamoriello to finish season behind bench|date=February 22, 2006|access-date=August 30, 2006}}</ref> Once Elias returned from his bout with hepatitis, the team quickly turned around, finishing 46–27–9 after a season-ending 11-game winning streak capped with a 4–3 win over the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. During that final victory, which clinched the Devils' sixth division title, [[Brian Gionta]] set a new team record for goals in a season with 48, topping Pat Verbeek's 46.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsline.com/nhl/gamecenter/recap/NHL_20060418_NJ@MON |title=Devils snare division title with three-goal flurry in third |publisher=CBS SportsLine |date=April 18, 2006 |access-date=August 30, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060430150057/http://sportsline.com/nhl/gamecenter/recap/NHL_20060418_NJ%40MON |archive-date=April 30, 2006}}</ref> The win streak to close the year was also an NHL record.<ref name="EndofSeasonWinsRecord">{{cite web|url=http://www.newjerseydevils.com/njd/fanzone/contests/25th/part2/countdown.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070424232441/http://www.newjerseydevils.com/njd/fanzone/contests/25th/part2/countdown.php|archive-date=April 24, 2007|title=25th Anniversary Most Memorable Moments Countdown|publisher=newjerseydevils.com|access-date=May 12, 2007|year=2007}}</ref> The Devils swept the Rangers in four games in the conference quarterfinals, and were then eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in five games in the conference semifinals.<ref name="playoff"/>

In the off-season, the Devils hired former Montreal Canadiens head coach [[Claude Julien (ice hockey)|Claude Julien]] to replace Lamoriello behind the bench.<ref>{{cite news |first = Janet |last = Frankston |title = Devils Hire Claude Julien As Coach |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/13/AR2006061300556.html |agency = Associated Press |date =June 13, 2006 |access-date =August 30, 2006 | newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> However, in the last week of the [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07 season]], with just three games left, Julien was fired, and Lamoriello once again reprised his coaching role.<ref>{{cite news |title = Julien out, Lamoriello in as Devils prepare for playoffs |url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2822234 |agency = Associated Press |date =April 2, 2007 |access-date =April 2, 2007}}</ref> The Devils went on to win their seventh Atlantic Division title and earn the second seed in the Eastern Conference after finishing ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins by two points.<ref>{{cite web|title=NHL Standings – 2006–07|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/standings/_/year/2007|access-date=February 9, 2015}}</ref> They then defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games in the conference quarterfinals, but fell to the Ottawa Senators in the conference semifinals in five.<ref name="playoff"/> The conclusion of the series marked the end of the Devils' time at the Continental Airlines Arena.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sherman|first=Ted|title=It's official: Izod Center to close by end of month|work=The Star-Ledger|date=January 16, 2015|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/01/its_official_izod_center_to_close_by_end_of_month.html|access-date=February 9, 2015}}</ref>

====2007–2013: Move to Newark and return to Finals====
[[File:Pudcentnewarkjeh.JPG|thumb|right|The Devils moved to [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], in October 2007, opening a new arena, known as the [[Prudential Center]].|alt=A sports arena that prominently features the Prudential mountain logo in its front walls.]]
Before the move to Newark, the Devils hired their 14th coach in a 26-season span, [[Brent Sutter]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Devils name Brent Sutter latest in long line of coaches|work=Philadelphia Daily News|date=July 14, 2007|url=http://articles.philly.com/2007-07-14/sports/25240803_1_devils-president-lou-lamoriello-brent-sutter|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150211093312/http://articles.philly.com/2007-07-14/sports/25240803_1_devils-president-lou-lamoriello-brent-sutter|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 11, 2015|access-date=February 10, 2015}}</ref> As the Devils' pre-season came to an end, prospects [[Nicklas Bergfors]] and [[David Clarkson (ice hockey)|David Clarkson]] made the final roster. The Devils opened their new arena, the [[Prudential Center]], on October 27, 2007, against Ottawa after opening the season with a nine-game road trip. The game ended with a 4–1 win for Ottawa.<ref>{{cite news|last=Caldwell|first=Dave|title=Devils Open Their New Building but Fall Apart in Third Period|work=The New York Times|date=October 28, 2007|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/sports/hockey/28devils.html|access-date=February 10, 2015}}</ref> In the last game of the 2007–08 season against the Rangers, the Devils won in a shootout, giving them home-ice advantage over the Rangers in the playoffs.<ref>{{cite news|last=Canavan|first=Tom|title=Parise, Elias score to give Devils 3–2 shootout win over Rangers|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=April 6, 2008|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/2008-04-06-230712797_x.htm|access-date=February 10, 2015}}</ref> The Devils lost the series against the Rangers 4–1, losing all three games at home.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lundqvist stops penalty shot, Rangers hold on to eliminate Devils|publisher=ESPN. Associated Press|date=April 18, 2008|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280418011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510103036/http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280418011|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2008|access-date=February 10, 2015}}</ref> Brodeur won the Vezina Trophy for the fourth time in five years for his performance in the regular season.<ref name="Vezina"/>

For the [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]], the Devils signed [[Brian Rolston]] and Bobby Holik, both making their second stints with the team.<ref>{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Kevin|title=Atlantic preview: Pens boast scorers, Devils rely on defense|work=USA Today|date=September 25, 2008|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2008-09-25-atlantic-preview_N.htm|access-date=February 11, 2005}}</ref> The Devils were forced to play without Brodeur for over three months after he tore a biceps tendon in November, but strong play by backup goaltender [[Scott Clemmensen]] kept the Devils atop the Atlantic Division.<ref>{{cite news|title=Devils' Brodeur back at practice for first time in three months|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=February 14, 2009|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/devils/2009-02-14-brodeur-practice_N.htm|access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref> After his return, Brodeur broke [[Patrick Roy]]'s record for regular season wins on March 17, 2009, with his 552nd victory, while Patrik Elias became the franchise's all-time leading scorer with his 702nd point.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brodeur breaks Roy's wins record as Devils down Blackhawks|publisher=ESPN. Associated Press|date=March 17, 2009|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290317011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324025137/http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290317011|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 24, 2009|access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref> The season also served as a break-out year for 24-year-old [[Zach Parise]], who led the team with an impressive 45 goals and 94 points. In the conference quarterfinals of the [[2009 Stanley Cup playoffs|2009 playoffs]], the Devils were eliminated in a Game 7 loss in which the Hurricanes scored two goals in the last minute and 20 seconds to erase a 3–2 Devils lead.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chere|first=Rich|title=Carolina Hurricanes stun New Jersey Devils with two goals in final 80 seconds to win Game 7, 4–3|work=Newark Star-Ledger|date=April 28, 2009|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2009/04/carolina_hurricanes_stun_new_j.html|access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref>

In the off-season, the Devils announced that Sutter was stepping down from his position, citing personal and family reasons; he became the coach of the [[Calgary Flames]] shortly afterward.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chere|first=Rich|title=New Jersey Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek upset by Brent Sutter's decision to coach Calgary Flames|work=Newark Star-Ledger|date=June 23, 2009|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2009/06/new_jersey_devils_owner_jeff_v_1.html|access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> Jacques Lemaire returned to the head coach position.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cup-winning Jacques Lemaire back to coach Devils|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=July 14, 2009|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/devils/2009-07-13-lemaire-coach_N.htm|access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> During the 2009–10 season, the Devils made a trade to acquire star left wing [[Ilya Kovalchuk]] from the [[Atlanta Thrashers]].<ref>{{cite web|last=LeBrun|first=Pierre|title=Devils acquire Kovalchuk|publisher=ESPN|date=February 5, 2010|url= https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=4888109|access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> The Devils had their 12th 100-point season in their last 15 attempts. They finished the season in first place in the Atlantic Division, second in the Eastern Conference, and played in the postseason for the 13th-straight time. Their seeding matched them up against Philadelphia in the conference quarterfinals, and they were eliminated four games to one.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boucher pitches shutout as Flyers bounce Devils in 5 games|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=April 22, 2010|url=http://espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300422011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426090335/http://espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300422011|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2010|access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Patrik Elias 2012-03-17.JPG|thumb|left|[[Patrik Eliáš|Patrik Elias]] is the Devils all time leader in games played, points, goals, and assists.]]
After Lemaire retired from coaching, the Devils announced that the team's all-time leading scorer, John MacLean, would become their new head coach.<ref>{{cite news|last=Levinson|first=Mason|title=New Jersey Devils Name Goals Leader John MacLean Head Coach|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|publisher=Bloomberg|date=June 17, 2010|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-06-17/new-jersey-devils-name-goals-leader-john-maclean-head-coach|access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> During the off-season, the Devils signed Kovalchuk to a 15-year, $100&nbsp;million contract, keeping him in New Jersey until the conclusion of the 2024–25 season; the move came after the NHL had rejected a 17-year contract for allegedly circumventing the [[NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement]] (CBA).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536524&navid=DL |publisher=National Hockey League |last=Rosen |first=Dan |title=Kovy deal registered as NHL, NHLPA reach settlement |date=September 4, 2010 |access-date=September 4, 2010}}</ref> The League still penalized the Devils for trying to circumvent the [[NHL salary cap]] with a money fine, a third-round draft pick in [[2011 NHL entry draft|2011]] and one future first-round pick within the next four seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=708210 |title= New Jersey Devils' penalty for Kovalchuk contract modified |date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=August 4, 2014|publisher=National Hockey League}}</ref> MacLean led the team to a record of 9–22–2, and after sitting in last place in the NHL on December 23, he was removed in favor of Lemaire, coming out of retirement for his third stint as head coach of the Devils and second in less than two seasons.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jacques Lemaire returns as coach|publisher=ESPN. Associated Press|date=December 23, 2010|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nhl/news/story?id=5950684|access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> Just a few days later, struggling captain Jamie Langenbrunner was traded back to Dallas after nine seasons with New Jersey. With the injured Parise missing most of the regular season, the team struggled offensively, finishing last in goals scored. Despite this, the Devils managed a mid-season turnaround, winning 22 out of the next 25 games.<ref>{{cite news|title=Devils Look to Continue Their Historic Turnaround|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=February 14, 2011|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704657104576142482217342902|access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> However, the Devils still failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1996, ending their 13-year streak.<ref>{{cite news|last=Canavan|first=Tom|title=New Jersey Devils seek to end playoff drought|work=Daily Record|date=October 8, 2014|url=http://www.dailyrecord.com/story/sports/nhl/devils/2014/10/08/new-jersey-devils/16944599/|access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref>

In the 2011 off-season, Lemaire once again retired and was replaced by former Florida Panthers head coach [[Peter DeBoer]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/20/sports/hockey/devils-hire-peter-deboer-as-new-head-coach.html | work=The New York Times | first=Lynn | last=Zinser | title=Devils Hire Peter DeBoer as New Head Coach | date=July 19, 2011 | access-date=February 28, 2015}}</ref> DeBoer's new system helped develop a strong offense, which had seven 40-point scorers by the season's end and broke an NHL record for the best regular season penalty kill since before the [[1967 NHL expansion|expansion era]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wyshynski|first1=Greg|title=Peter DeBoer's Devils: How coach's philosophy, rivalry with Tortorella have defined New Jersey's playoff run|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/peter-deboer-devils-coach-philosophy-rivalry-tortorella-defined-150558115.html|date=May 22, 2012 |publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lozo|first=Dave|title=Forward thinking helped Devils set PK record|publisher=National Hockey League|date=April 9, 2012|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=626859|access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Four players – Kovalchuk, Elias, Clarkson and newly named captain Zach Parise – scored 30 or more goals, with Kovalchuk and Elias also finishing the season among the NHL's top ten-point scorers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/nhl/statistics/player/_/stat/points/sort/points/year/2012/seasontype/2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010061832/http://espn.go.com/nhl/statistics/player/_/stat/points/sort/points/year/2012/seasontype/2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 10, 2011 |title=Player Stats: 2011–2012 Regular season: All Skaters&nbsp;– Total Points |publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref> Rookie forward [[Adam Henrique]] totaled 51 points and earned a Calder Trophy nomination for rookie of the year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Stubits|first=Brian|title=Henrique, Landeskog, Nugent-Hopkins announced as Calder Trophy finalists|work=CBS Sports|date=April 20, 2012|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/18705696/henrique-landeskog-nugenthopkins-announced-as-calder-trophy-finalists|access-date=February 28, 2015}}</ref> As the sixth seed in the [[2012 Stanley Cup playoffs|Eastern Conference]], the Devils defeated [[Southeast Division (NHL)|Southeast]] champions Florida before overcoming both divisional rivals, the Flyers and Rangers, to win the Conference and return to the finals after nine years.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/05/28/factbox-nhl-eastern-conference-champion-new-jersey-devils/ | work=Chicago Tribune | title=Factbox-NHL-Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils| date=May 28, 2012 |access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Flynn|first=Douglas|title=Martin Brodeur, Adam Henrique Exorcise Ghosts As Old and Young Unite to Put Devils in Stanley Cup Final|publisher=NESN|date=May 26, 2012|url=http://nesn.com/2012/05/martin-brodeur-adam-henrique-combine-to-exorcise-ghosts-as-old-and-young-unite-to-put-devils-in-cup/|access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Facing the [[Los Angeles Kings]] in the [[2012 Stanley Cup Finals|Finals]], the Devils lost the first three games, but won the next two while facing elimination. In Game 6, the Kings defeated the Devils and captured the series.<ref name="playoff"/><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=10057| publisher=National Hockey League| title=Devils disappointed, but proud|date=June 12, 2012|first=Dave|last=Lozo | access-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref>

During the 2012 off-season, Zach Parise signed a 13-year, $98&nbsp;million contract with the [[Minnesota Wild]], leaving the Devils after one season as team captain.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zach Parise, Ryan Suter to Wild|publisher=ESPN|date=July 4, 2012|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/8127442/free-agents-zach-parise-ryan-suter-sign-minnesota-wild|access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> The Devils entered the lockout-shortened season with [[Bryce Salvador]] as their new captain.<ref>{{cite web|title=Devils name defenseman Salvador captain|publisher=National Hockey League|date=January 17, 2013|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=650786|access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> However, the Devils failed to repeat the performance of the prior year, finishing 19–19–10 in 48 games and missed the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|title=2012–13 New Jersey Devils Roster and Statistics|publisher=Hockey Reference|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/NJD/2013.html|access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref>

====2013–present: Harris–Blitzer era====
[[File:Josh Harris WAS-NYG NOV2023 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Josh Harris (businessman)|Josh Harris]] (pictured) and [[David Blitzer]] purchased the team and the [[Prudential Center]] from [[Jeff Vanderbeek]] for $320&nbsp;million in 2013.]]
The Devils' longtime financial struggles worsened during the 2012–13 season, and at one point the team needed to borrow $30&nbsp;million to meet their payroll.<ref name="attorney">{{cite news|last=Terruso|first=Julia|title=Report: NJ Devils may be sold to attorney Andrew Barroway|work=The Star-Ledger|date=June 29, 2013|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2013/06/report_nj_devils_may_be_sold_to_attorney_andrew_barroway.html|access-date=February 17, 2015}}</ref> This prompted owner [[Jeff Vanderbeek]] to sell the team.<ref name="sold"/> [[Andrew Barroway]], the attorney who loaned the team the $30&nbsp;million, was one potential buyer.<ref name="attorney"/> Ultimately, the team was sold to [[Philadelphia 76ers]] owners [[Josh Harris (businessman)|Josh Harris]] and [[David Blitzer]] for over $320&nbsp;million.<ref name="sold">{{cite news | title=New Jersey Devils Set to Be Sold | first=Mike | last=Sielski | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=August 14, 2013}}</ref> The sale was formally announced on August 15, 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Devils announce sale of team to billionaire Josh Harris|work=The Star-Ledger|date=August 15, 2013|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2013/08/hold_devils_announce_sale_of_team.html|access-date=February 17, 2015}}</ref> During the off-season, Kovalchuk announced he would retire from the NHL, expressing a desire to return home to Russia along with his family.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/devils/2013/07/11/ilya-kovalchuk-announces-retirement-new-jersey-devils/2509857/ | work=USA Today | first1=Kevin | last1=Allen | title=Ilya Kovalchuk says he's retiring from NHL | date=July 11, 2013 |access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref> In addition, 30-goal scorer Clarkson also left the Devils, signing a seven-year deal with Toronto. With the departures of Parise and now Kovalchuk and Clarkson, the Devils were in desperate need of offensive help. In an effort to fill the void, the Devils signed veteran [[Jaromír Jágr|Jaromir Jagr]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/52924-New-Jersey-Devils-sign-forward-Jaromir-Jagr-add-veteran-scoring-in-wake-of-losing-Kovalchuk.html|title=New Jersey Devils sign forward Jaromir Jagr, add veteran scoring in wake of losing Kovalchuk|work=The Hockey News|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=February 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221045446/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/52924-New-Jersey-Devils-sign-forward-Jaromir-Jagr-add-veteran-scoring-in-wake-of-losing-Kovalchuk.html|archive-date=February 21, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> who despite being 41 years old, led the team scoring in the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 season]]. During the [[2013 NHL entry draft]], hosted in Newark, the Devils acquired goaltender [[Cory Schneider]] from Vancouver in exchange for the Devils' first-round draft pick. Schneider split goaltending duties with the 41-year-old Brodeur, which led to some controversy over who should be the starting goaltender for the Devils.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cory Schneider 'frustrated' with limited time behind Martin Brodeur|work=CBS Sports|date=November 27, 2013|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24292385/cory-schneider-frustrated-with-limited-time-behind-martin-brodeur|access-date=January 8, 2016}}</ref> Despite Schneider's 1.97 goals against average leading the NHL, the Devils missed the playoffs by five points due to lagging offensive production.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Valentine|first=Ben|title=Lack of prime numbers – the age problem for the Devils|magazine=Sporting News|date=January 13, 2015|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2015-01-13/new-jersey-devils-age-jaromir-jagr-nhl-possession-struggles-lou-lamoriello|access-date=February 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218233259/http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2015-01-13/new-jersey-devils-age-jaromir-jagr-nhl-possession-struggles-lou-lamoriello|archive-date=February 18, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2013–14 New Jersey Devils Roster and Statistics|publisher=Hockey Reference|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/NJD/2014.html|access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> In the 2014 off-season, the Devils saw the departure of NHL all-time wins leader Martin Brodeur, who was not re-signed and subsequently joined the [[St. Louis Blues]]. Brodeur, who had spent his entire 21-year career with the Devils, played only seven games with St. Louis before announcing his retirement.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brodeur retires, joins Blues' staff|publisher=ESPN|date=January 29, 2015|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/12248287/retiring-martin-brodeur-leaving-ice-really-happy|access-date=January 8, 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Cory Schneider - New Jersey Devils.jpg|thumb|upright|left|During the [[2013 NHL entry draft]], the Devils acquired [[Cory Schneider]] from the [[Vancouver Canucks]] in exchange for their first-round draft pick.|alt=Cory Schneider with the New Jersey Devils in 2014]]
The [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]] opened with the Devils' roster suffering with injuries, and consequently the team accumulated losses. On December 26, Peter DeBoer was fired from the head coach position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/pete-deboer-fired-by-devils-1.2884276|title=Pete DeBoer fired by Devils|agency=Associated Press|publisher=CBC Sports|date=December 26, 2014|access-date=March 26, 2015}}</ref> To replace him, Lamoriello invested in two head coaches, former Devils player Scott Stevens (who had been DeBoer's assistant for two years) and [[Adam Oates]], with Lamoriello himself supervising the team during the first months.<ref name=oates>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2015/01/post_56.html|title=Co-coach Adam Oates putting his stamp on Devils|first=Rich|last=Chere |work=The Star-Ledger|date=January 20, 2015|access-date=March 26, 2015}}</ref> The Devils finished the season as the sixth-worst team in the League, 20 points away from a playoff spot and with just one victory in the last 11 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2015/04/lou_lamoriello_and_devils_players_reflect_on_one_w.html|title=Lou Lamoriello and Devils players reflect on one win in last 11 games|author=Chere, Rick|date=April 11, 2015|work=The Star-Ledger|access-date=April 13, 2015}}</ref>

During the 2015 off-season, [[Ray Shero]] was named the Devils' new general manager,<ref name="RShero">{{cite news|title=Shero named GM of Devils; Lamoriello still president|first=Mike G.|last=Morreale|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=766429|publisher=National Hockey League|date=May 4, 2015|access-date=July 7, 2015}}</ref> and [[John Hynes (ice hockey)|John Hynes]] was named as the new head coach.<ref>{{cite news|title=Devils name John Hynes as head coach|url=http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=769654|publisher=New Jersey Devils|date=June 2, 2015|access-date=July 7, 2015}}</ref> Among Shero's first moves as general manager was trading with the Anaheim Ducks to acquire [[Kyle Palmieri]], who would become a key forward for the Devils in future seasons.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Masisak |first1=Corey |last2=Luszczyszyn |first2=Dom |title=NHL trade deadline: What the Islanders are getting in forward Kyle Palmieri |url=https://theathletic.com/2447012/2021/04/07/nhl-trade-deadline-what-the-islanders-are-getting-in-forward-kyle-palmieri/ |publisher=[[The Athletic]] |access-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415122235/https://theathletic.com/2447012/2021/04/07/nhl-trade-deadline-what-the-islanders-are-getting-in-forward-kyle-palmieri/ |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |date=April 7, 2021 |quote=Kyle Palmieri was the first player Ray Shero acquired in a trade after being named the Devils’ general manager in 2015 and he’s been one of the club’s most consistent goal scorers in franchise history.}}</ref> Lou Lamoriello resigned as team president and became the general manager of the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], replacing [[Dave Nonis]], who was fired at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lamoriello resigns from Devils, becomes Leafs GM|first=Mike|last=Brophy|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=775410|publisher=National Hockey League|date=July 23, 2015|access-date=July 24, 2015}}</ref> In the [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16 season]], the Devils finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division with 84 points,<ref>{{cite web|title=2015–16 National Hockey League Standings|publisher=The Internet Hockey Database|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19272016.html|access-date=November 5, 2017}}</ref> missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.<ref name="statistics"/> That off-season, the Devils attempted to bolster its forward strength in a blockbuster trade with the [[Edmonton Oilers]], sending defenseman and former first-round draft pick [[Adam Larsson]] to Edmonton in exchange for [[Taylor Hall]].<ref name=hall>{{cite web|url=http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=887882|title=Devils acquire Taylor Hall from Edmonton|website=National Hockey League|access-date=June 29, 2016|date=June 29, 2016}}</ref> This did not turn the Devils' fortunes, and the team finished in last place in the Eastern Conference the [[2016–17 NHL season|following season]] with 70 points; this was the first time that they finished last in the conference since the 1985–86 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=2016–17 National Hockey League Standings|publisher=The Internet Hockey Database|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19272017.html|access-date=November 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gross|first=Andrew|title=Wood, Blandisi among four re-assigned to Albany (AHL)|work=USA Today|date=April 10, 2017|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/devils/2017/04/10/wood-blandisi-among-four-re-assigned-albany-ahl/100302988/|access-date=November 5, 2017}}</ref> However, they won the ensuing draft lottery to secure the first overall selection in the [[2017 NHL entry draft]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Devils buck odds to win NHL draft lottery; Vegas to pick 6th |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nhl/devils-buck-odds-to-win-nhl-draft-lottery-vegas-to-pick-6th |website=FOX Sports |access-date=October 30, 2024 |date=April 29, 2017}}</ref> which they used to select center [[Nico Hischier]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Morreale|first=Mike G.|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-jersey-devils-pick-nico-hischier-with-top-pick-in-2017-nhl-draft/c-290081308|title=Nico Hischier selected by Devils with top pick of 2017 Draft|publisher=National Hockey League|date=June 23, 2017|access-date=June 23, 2017}}</ref>

[[File:2017 NHL Entry Draft (34703419283).jpg|thumb|right|The Devils drafted [[Nico Hischier]] with the first overall selection in the [[2017 NHL entry draft]].]]
In the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]], the team recorded its best start in franchise history, going 9–2–0 in their first 11 games of the season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clipperton|first=Joshua|title=Cory Schneider blanks Canucks as Devils record best franchise start|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks-new-jersesy-devils-nhl-1.4383238|publisher=CBC Sports|agency=The Canadian Press|access-date=November 2, 2017|date=November 2, 2017}}</ref> Hall set the franchise record for points in consecutive games, recording a point in 26 straight appearances. Hall finished the season sixth in the NHL in points (93) and earned nominations for the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] for the league's most valuable player and the [[Ted Lindsay Award]] for the NHL's most outstanding player.<ref>{{cite web|title=Taylor Hall nominated for the Hart Trophy|url=https://www.sny.tv/devils/news/taylor-hall-nominated-for-the-hart-trophy/274150998|website=sny.tv|access-date=April 29, 2018|date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=April 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430054509/https://www.sny.tv/devils/news/taylor-hall-nominated-for-the-hart-trophy/274150998|url-status=dead}}</ref> On the back of Hall's impressive performance and with aid from goaltender [[Keith Kinkaid]] and rookie Hischier, the Devils clinched a playoff spot for the first time since the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]] with a win over the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Devils clinch playoff berth with win against Maple Leafs|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-new-jersey-devils-game-recap/c-297697810|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=April 5, 2018|date=April 5, 2018}}</ref> The Devils' playoff run ended in the first round where they lost 4–1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in a seven-game series.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tasch|first1=Justin|title=Devils season ends with 3-1 loss to Lightning in Game 5 of first-round playoff series|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2018/04/22/devils-season-ends-with-3-1-loss-to-lightning-in-game-5-of-first-round-playoff-series/|website=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=April 22, 2018|date=April 21, 2018}}</ref> After the conclusion of the playoffs, Hall became the first player in franchise history to win the Hart Memorial Trophy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hall of Devils wins Hart Trophy as NHL MVP|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/hart-trophy-mvp-winner-taylor-hall-of-new-jersey/c-299141744|publisher=National Hockey League|date=June 20, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2017}}</ref>

The Devils failed to return to the playoffs in the [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19 season]] as they struggled. Plagued by injuries, including reigning league MVP Hall being sidelined with a knee injury for nearly 50 games; the Devils finished 15th in the Eastern Conference with 72 points. In the subsequent draft lottery, the team received the first overall selection in the [[2019 NHL entry draft]] for the second time in three years.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Kristen |title=New Jersey Devils Land First Pick in 2019 NHL Draft Lottery |url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2019/04/09/nhl-draft-lottery-first-pick-jack-hughes |website=SI.com |access-date=April 10, 2019 |date=April 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wyshynski |first1=Greg |title=Devils beat odds to win lottery, chance at Hughes |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/26482656/devils-beat-odds-win-lottery-chance-hughes |website=ESPN.com |access-date=April 10, 2019 |date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> The Devils used this pick to select [[Jack Hughes]] first overall.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Kevin |last2=Mastracco |first2=Abbey |title=Devils select US-born Jack Hughes with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft |work=USA Today |date=June 22, 2019 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2019/06/21/nhl-draft-devils-take-jack-hughes-no-1-pick/1523995001/# |access-date=November 2, 2020}}</ref>

In the 2019 off-season, the Devils acquired [[P. K. Subban]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Predators trade Subban to Devils |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nashville-predators-trade-pk-subban-to-new-jersey-devils-1.1326920 |website=TSN |access-date=May 26, 2020 |date=June 22, 2019}}</ref> [[Nikita Gusev]], and [[Wayne Simmonds]].<ref>{{cite web |title=RELEASE: Devils Agree to Terms With RW Wayne Simmonds |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/release-devils-agree-to-terms-with-rw-wayne-simmonds/c-308148994 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 26, 2020 |date=July 1, 2019}}</ref> The Devils started the [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20 season]] with a six-game losing streak, going 0–4–2, and after having a 9–13–4 record in December, head coach John Hynes was fired and replaced by assistant coach [[Alain Nasreddine]] in the interim. However, the Devils continued to struggle and Hall was traded to the [[Arizona Coyotes]], longtime captain [[Andy Greene]] was traded to the [[New York Islanders]], and [[Wayne Simmonds]] was traded to the [[Buffalo Sabres]]. Shero was fired on January 12, 2020, and replaced by interim general manager [[Tom Fitzgerald (ice hockey)|Tom Fitzgerald]]. On March 12, the regular season was suspended due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Then, on May 26, the regular season was declared finished and the Devils missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL plans to return with 24-team Stanley Cup Playoffs |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-plans-to-return-with-24-team-stanley-cup-playoffs/c-317031010 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 26, 2020 |date=May 26, 2020|last=Gulitti|first=Tom}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wescott|first=Chris|title=THREE THINGS: Devils Season Officially Ends |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/three-things-devils-season-officially-ends/c-317029506 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 27, 2020 |date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> On July 9, [[Lindy Ruff]] was named the Devils' head coach;<ref>{{cite web|title=Lindy Ruff named Devils' coach, Tom Fitzgerald stays GM|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29434344/reports-lindy-ruff-devils-coach-tom-fitzgerald-gm|website=ESPN.com|access-date=July 9, 2020|date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> Nasreddine was retained as an assistant coach.<ref name="northjersey-recchi-nas">{{cite web |last1=Aitken |first1=Robert Jr. |title=Devils part ways with assistant coaches Alain Nasreddine, Mark Recchi; what about Lindy Ruff? |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nhl/devils/2022/05/04/nj-devils-assistant-coaches-alain-nasreddine-mark-recchi/9645167002/ |website=[[Northjersey.com]] |access-date=November 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525234744/https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nhl/devils/2022/05/04/nj-devils-assistant-coaches-alain-nasreddine-mark-recchi/9645167002/ |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |date=May 4, 2022}}</ref> In the off-season, the Devils also attempted to find a permanent goaltending solution by signing longtime Chicago Blackhawks netminder [[Corey Crawford]]; however, Crawford retired prior to the start of the [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21 season]], never having played a game with New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web |title=Corey Crawford announces retirement after 10 NHL seasons |url=https://www.nhlpa.com/news/1-21993/corey-crawford-announces-retirement-after-10-nhl-seasons |website=[[National Hockey League Players' Association]] |access-date=January 9, 2021|date=January 9, 2021}}</ref> After a good start with great play from goaltender [[Mackenzie Blackwood]] and center Jack Hughes, the Devils would suffer an outbreak of COVID-19, which sidelined the team for two weeks. Once they returned, they struggled, and Palmieri was traded alongside longest-tenured Devil [[Travis Zajac]] to the Islanders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Islanders Acquire Palmieri and Zajac from the Devils |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/islanders-acquire-palmieri-and-zajac-from-the-devils/c-323382038 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 10, 2021 |date=April 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Islanders acquire Palmieri, Zajac from Devils |url=https://www.tsn.ca/new-york-islanders-acquire-kyle-palmieri-travis-zajac-from-new-jersey-devils-1.1619903 |website=tsn.ca |access-date=May 10, 2021 |date=April 7, 2021}}</ref> The Devils would go on to miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morreale |first1=Mike G. |title=Devils miss playoffs; special teams, Hischier injuries among reasons |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-jersey-devils-miss-2021-nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/c-323880108 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 11, 2021 |date=April 21, 2021}}</ref>

During the 2021 off-season, the Devils signed free agent defenseman [[Dougie Hamilton]] from the Carolina Hurricanes.<ref>{{cite web |title=entertitle |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/dougie-hamilton-devils-signs-seven-years-contract-free-agency-release/c-325854722 |website=NHL.com |date=July 28, 2021}}</ref> General manager Tom Fitzgerald would also succeed in his goal to sign a backup goaltender and top 6 winger by signing veterans [[Jonathan Bernier]] and [[Tomáš Tatar|Tomas Tatar]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Jonathan Bernier Signs with Devils |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/jonathan-bernier-signs-devils-contract-free-agency/c-325838526 |website=NHL.com |date=July 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Tatar signs two-year, $9 million contract with Devils |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/tomas-tatar-signs-deal-with-new-jersey/c-325913724 |website=nhl.com}}</ref> However, the [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22 season]] fared to be no better as the Devils once again missed the playoffs. At the end of the season, Nasreddine was not tendered a contract extension, and [[Mark Recchi]] was fired from his assistant coach position.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nasreddine, Recchi Will Not Return |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/nasreddine-recchi-will-not-return--release/c-333740474 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 15, 2022 |date=May 4, 2022}}</ref>

[[File:New Jersey Devils at Seattle Kraken - 2023-12-07 - Jack Hughes and Vítek Vaněček (53384406596) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|[[Jack Hughes]] (left) was drafted with the first overall pick in 2019, and emerged as a multiple time All-Star]]

In the [[2022–23 NHL season|2022–23 season]], the team rebounded by recording its best regular season in franchise history. Spurred on by a franchise-record 13-game winning streak in October and November, the Devils finished third in the entire league and set a franchise record for wins (52) and points (112). The team's climb from 63 points the prior season to 112 points marked the largest single-season increase by any NHL team in an 82-game season. In addition to a breakout season from newly acquired goaltender [[Vítek Vaněček|Vitek Vanecek]], the Devils were led by impressive offensive performances from Hughes, Hischier, Hamilton, and [[Jesper Bratt]]. All four players eclipsed the 70-point mark, while Hughes set a franchise record for most points in a single season by a Devils player with 99 points. Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald built further on this impressive offensive core by acquiring All-Star forward [[Timo Meier]] in a mid-season trade from the [[San Jose Sharks]]. In the first round of the [[2023 Stanley Cup playoffs]], the Devils faced [[Devils–Rangers rivalry|their rivals]] across the [[Hudson River]], the [[New York Rangers]]. After falling behind 2–0 in the series with two home losses, the Devils rebounded to win the series in seven games behind the stellar play of rookie goaltender, [[Akira Schmid]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morreale |first1=Mike G. |title=Devils series win 11 years in making |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-jersey-devils-series-win-11-years-in-making/c-344084070 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 12, 2023 |date=May 2, 2023}}</ref> After advancing to the second round for the first time since [[2012 Stanley Cup playoffs|2012]], the Devils were defeated by the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] in five games.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morreale |first1=Mike G. |title=Devils 'gave everything they had' in Game 5 |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/devils-give-everything-they-have-in-game-5-loss/c-344338268 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 12, 2023 |date=May 12, 2023}}</ref>

In the [[2023–24 NHL season|2023–24 season]], the Devils took part in the [[2024 NHL Stadium Series|2024 Stadium Series]] at [[MetLife Stadium]] on February 17, 2024, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 6–3 in front of 70,328 fans.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nico Hischier scores twice as Devils beat Flyers 6-3 before 70,328 at MetLife Stadium |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401555900 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=August 2, 2024 |date=February 17, 2024}}</ref> The event was the Devils' first game at the Meadowlands since 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/devils/2024/02/feet-go-cold-it-is-all-over-devils-fans-embrace-elements-in-one-night-return-to-meadowlands.html|title='Feet go cold, it is all over!' Devils, fans embrace elements in one-night return to Meadowlands|first1=Kevin|last1=Armstrong|publisher=NJ Advance Media|date=February 17, 2024|accessdate=December 18, 2024}}</ref> However, the 2023–24 season turned out to be a disappointing one for the Devils as they missed the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morreale |first1=Mike G. |title=Devils miss playoffs after struggles at home |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/why-2023-24-new-jersey-devils-are-eliminated |website=NHL.com |access-date=August 2, 2024 |date=April 10, 2024}}</ref>