Oh Captain, My (Former) Captain!

Tonight:

8:30PM:

American Airlines Center:

The New Jersey Devils will faceoff against the Dallas Stars, and a very familiar face. That face belonging to none other than former New Jersey Devils Captain, Jamie Langenbrunner. The Devils traded Langenbrunner to Dallas (where he began his NHL career) on January 7th. Since that time, the Devils have turned their season around and appear to be making a legitimate run at the postseason (15-2-2 since Jamie's departure). The Stars on the other hand, have headed in the opposite direction. (7-9-1 since Jamie's arrival, only 1 win in the month of February) Langenbrunner inherited the captaincy from a line of Devils legends; Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Patrik Elias. Langenbrunner was a crucial member of the 2003 Stanley Cup Championship team, and a winger on the fan favorite "ZZ Pops" line along with Zach Parise and Travis Zajac. The team never enjoyed postseason success while he donned the "C" on his jersey though; and the fashion in which he ended his Devils career has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many fans. Many point to last season's benching at the hands of Jacques Lemaire as the beginning of the end. Langenbrunner acted like a child who had his favorite toy taken from him, and stomped his proverbial feet for the media. Was "Captain America" too good to be a healthy scratch?!? It is well documented that Jamie and Jacques Lemaire had their differences, and when Jacques was brought back to take the team over many speculated that Langenbrunner's Devils career was coming to a close. After Langenbrunner was dealt to Dallas it was revealed through the media that Lou Lamoriello in fact asked Jamie to waive his No Trade Clause in training camp, and Jamie refused. Was this burden too much for Lags to bear? Over the last 10 years, Jamie became part of the Devils family. As a fan it will be odd to see him playing against us tonight; as I am sure it will feel weird to him and the current Devils' players. But one thing is for sure...

This team has moved on; and quite frankly, is MUCH better without him. I will always appreciate what Jamie did in his time here, especially his role during the magical 2003 Stanley Cup Championship run. "ZZ Pops" was a fun line to watch while they lasted and will never be forgotten by many. But as they say, "All good things must come to an end", and unfortunately for the Devils, they kept Lags around a little longer than they should have. Tonight will be nostalgic in some ways, and sad in others. Perhaps Jamie could have been part of the magnificent miracle playoff push the Devils are enjoying now? Or perhaps he was part of the reason the team seemed to be stuck in reverse during the first half of the season? Hopefully the Devils continue their postseason push and give Jamie a front row seat to witness the new and improved New Jersey Devils.