Devils GM Lamoriello to go behind bench; Oates, Stevens serving as coaches
The New Jersey Devils are taking a three-pronged approach to the head coaching job.
General manager Lou Lamoriello announced Saturday that he will step behind the bench for the time being, with Adam Oates handling the forwards and Scott Stevens overseeing the defensive corps.
Lamoriello called it a unique situation, and said it would be unfair to ask one person to take the reins for the rest of the season.
Intention is for there to be one head coach for next season, Lamoreillo said. Could be Stevens or Oates or someone else.
— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) December 27, 2014
The GM has stepped behind the bench on two previous occasions, following the respective in-season firings of Larry Robinson (2005) and Claude Julien (2007). Lamoriello's record as coach stands at 34-14-5, as the club finished both seasons in first place in their division.
Oates brings two seasons of head coaching experience to the table, while Stevens served as an assistant in New Jersey from 2013 to this past September.
Both Stevens and Oates spoke following practice on Saturday, and delivered similar messages.
Oates: We need to improve in all areas and we're going to try to do that. Stevens: We want to get better, that's the bottom line.
— New Jersey Devils (@NHLDevils) December 27, 2014
The trio will makes its coaching debut Saturday against the New York Rangers with the Devils sitting nine points out of an Eastern Conference wild card spot.