5 New Jersey Devils players who were better than you remember
Let’s dive into some of our faces from the New Jersey Devils' past who should have received more recognition than they got during their time on the ice.
On October 4, the New Jersey Devils will face the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. Some players will step up to make this season successful, but as we learned in previous years, it's more than just the stars. Who were some of those players who executed their roles to perfection?
5. Jay Pandolfo
Current head coach of the Boston University men’s ice hockey team, Jay Pandolfo was drafted by the New Jersey Devils as the 32nd overall pick in the 1993 NHL Draft. He won two Stanley Cups with the Devils, one in 2000 and the other in 2003. Following the conclusion of the 2006-07 season, he became a Frank J. Selke Trophy finalist. Although he was ultimately placed on waivers and had his contract bought out, Pandolfo made his mark in his career.
4. Andy Greene
Andy Greene, a Michigan native, played all but three seasons with the Devils across a 16-year playing career. He originally went to the Devils as an undrafted free agent. Many now categorize him as having a low offensive output and a lack of physical play, which has kept him out of the spotlight as a top-end defenseman. But he was an excellent player and leader on this team for well over a decade. This is backed up by the fact that Greene set NHL career highs in assists, 31, and points, 37, during the 2009-10 season. He was also a Devils captain during his prime and helped New Jersey reach the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.
3. Stéphane Richer
Aside from returning for his final season in the NHL in 2001-02, unlike some of the others on the list, this player only spent five seasons with the Devils. Stéphane Richer was known for his size, speed, and hard shot with a quick release — all of which put him among the most dangerous scorers in the league during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A French Canadian right wing originally playing for the Montreal Canadiens, Richer was traded to the Devils and made an immediate impact — although not properly recognized until much later in his career. He scored 64 points in his debut season in New Jersey and then had two consecutive seasons, scoring over 70 points. Where he’s underrated comes from his less-than-ideal performance in the 1995-96 season and being overshadowed by other players on the then-roster. Richer concluded his time in the league with over 350 points in over 900 games played.
2. Randy McKay
Alongside Bobby Holík and Mike Peluso, McKay stood at 6’2”, 210 pounds, and was a member of “The Crash Line,” which was formed by then-head coach Jacques Lemaire in order to compete against the larger players in the Eastern Conference in the 1990s. With this trio of players, McKay was instrumental in helping the Devils take down the Detroit Red Wings in the 1995 Stanley Cup Final. McKay was also a member of the Devils when they won the coveted cup again in 2000 against the Dallas Stars in six games. Despite not starting or ending his career with the Devils, both McKay himself and his physicality were seriously underrated. He finished his time in the NHL with 932 games played, 162 goals — 29 of which were game-winners — and 201 assists.
1. Sergei Brylin
A versatile, physical, and defensive forward capable of playing all three forward positions, Sergei Bryan is one of only five Devils who played for all three of the Devils Stanley Cup championship teams — 1995, 2000, and 2003. He played 765 games and earned 308 points, including 179 assists and 129 goals. The left-handed Moscow native played his entire 13-year NHL career with the New Jersey team and was honored with the second-ever Devils’ Ring of Honor. Brylin went on to join the Devils coaching staff as an Assistant Coach on Aug. 18, 2022, after serving as an assistant and associate coach for various Devils’ AHL affiliates. His dedication to both the NHL and the entire Devils franchise is unquestioned. It is safe to say that it's a fact both his loyalty and his skill should have been more appreciated during his time on the ice.
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