Often a goal does not define a franchise, but can capture the imagination of fans everywhere. On May 25th, 2012, Adam Henrique brought Devils fans from coast to coast to their feet (and even created some new ones in the process), after scoring this overtime game winner against the rival New York Rangers that sent the New Jersey Devils back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since the 2000-01 season:
They wouldn’t hoist the Cup that year, but the team seemed like they were built to last. Alas, it was not to be. Free agency set in, trades happened, and the once promising team has yet to even make the playoffs again since that magical season. Four years to the day after one of the greatest and most memorable goals in franchise history, we take a look at what happened to that team, and where the players are now.
Steve Bernier- Bernier was invited to training camp at the end of 2011, and wound up signing a contract with the team at the beginning of 2012. Devils fans will probably remember him for his five-minute major penalty in Game 6 of the Finals, which wound up leading to three insurmountable goals. After four serviceable seasons with the team, Bernier left through free agency, and is currently a member of the New York Islanders.
Eric Boulton- Boulton was listed on the final 25-man roster, but he recorded no points in 51 games with the team that season. His contract was bought out at the end of June of that season, and has been with the Islanders ever since.
Martin Brodeur- Following the disappointment of the Cup loss, Brodeur decided to sign a new two-year contract to finish his career in Jersey. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen that way. After playing out that contract, he decided to sign a one-year deal with the St. Louis Blues, after they lost their goalie to injury. He would retire after starting just six games for the team. His number 30 was retired by the Devils during the 2015-16 season.
Ryan Carter- Carter was a waiver claim pickup by the Devils at the start of the season, and recorded five goals and two assists during the playoffs. When not being offered a contract after training camp of the 2014-15 season, Carter signed a deal with the Minnesota Wild, where he remains today.
David Clarkson- After enjoying the better part of seven seasons with the team, Clarkson decided to take the money and run, signing a seven-year, $36.75 million deal with Toronto following the 2012-13 season. After a rather dismal season and a half, Clarkson was traded away to Columbus, where he posted 4 points in 23 games last season.
Patrik Elias- One of the longest tenured Devils ever, Elias remains with the team, but is coming off a dismal 2015-16 season, in which he tallied only 8 points in 16 games due to injuries.
Mark Fayne- Originally drafted by the Devils, Fayne left following the 2013-14 season as an unrestricted free agent, signing with Edmonton, a place he has called home ever since.
Stephen Gionta- Only playing in one game that season, Gionta has been a mainstay in the lineup ever since. Gio played in all 82 games last season, scoring 1 goal with 10 assists.
Andy Greene- Greene holds a lot more responsibility with the team now, as he was named team captain prior to the 2015-16 season. Although his offensive numbers don’t jump off the scorecard, it’s the little things he does that led to him getting the “C” on his jersey. He signed a five-year contract extension in 2014.
Peter Harrold- Most of us won’t remember Harrold, as he played in only 11 games that season, doing most of his damage in Albany. Harrold is currently under contract with the St. Louis Blues.
Johan Hedberg- Hedberg was known mostly as the backup goalie, and left the team following the 2013 season. He is currently a goaltending coach and assistant coach for San Jose.
Adam Henrique- The man of the hour. As a rookie, Henrique scored the goal that inspired Devils fans everywhere, sending the hated Rangers home. Since then, his numbers have only gone up, capping off with a career high in goals (30) and points (50) this past season.
Cam Janssen- Janssen bounced between New Jersey and Albany for a few seasons, but following the 2014-15 season, signed a contract to play with the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL.
Jacob Josefson- Josefson played in 41 games that season, and continues to be a regular for the Devils.
Ilya Kovalchuk- This guy. Despite signing a 15-year, $100 million deal, Kovalchuk decided to haul ass back to Russia during the lockout in 2013. He scored 37 goals for the team in the 2011-12 season. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, bitch.
Adam Larsson- A young and upcoming star, Larsson was selected fourth overall in 2011, and was immediately thrown in the mix, playing in 65 games that season. It was often debated that he was rushed up, but his development has been brought along slowly since, as he registered 3 goals and 15 assists while playing all 82 games last season.
Zach Parise- Another sad case where money won out. Despite wearing the captains “C” that season, Parise departed following the Stanley Cup Finals, to “go home.” He signed a 13-year, $98 million deal with his hometown Minnesota Wild, and the prick has still yet to hoist a cup.
Alexi Ponikarovsky- Following the season, Ponikarovsky signed a deal with Winnipeg, was traded back to the Devils, and played out the remainder of the 2012-13 season. Following the season, he joined the KHL, where he played during the lockout.
Bryce Salvador- Salvador was named team captain at the start of the 2013-14 season due to his strong leadership. Unfortunately, injuries kept him down, limiting him to 55 games in his last two seasons. He retired following the 2014-15 season.
Petr Sykora- Sykora won a Cup with the Devils in 2000, and finished off his NHL career with them. He played in five games for SC Bern in Switzerland in 2012-13 before hanging up his skates for good.
Henrik Tallinder- Following the 2012-13 season, Tallinder was traded to Buffalo, where he played 64 games, but has not played in the NHL since.
Anton Volchenkov- After declining play, Volchenkov’s contract was put on waivers, for the purpose of a buyout. He played for Nashville for the 2014-15 season, but has not played since.
Travis Zajac- Zajac has remained a constant in the Devils lineup, tallying 14 goals and 28 assists in 74 games last season.
Marek Zidlicky- Zidlicky was brought in by the Devils before the 2011-12 season. After three rather successful seasons with the team, Zidlicky was traded to Detroit during the 2014-15 season. He currently plays for the Islanders.
Dainius Zubrus- After eight rather under-whelming seasons with the team, the Devils more or less terminated his contract. He failed a tryout with St. Louis, but has since caught on with San Jose, and will play for a chance at the Stanley Cup for the 2015-16 season.
monumentsmen.wordpress.com 