2009–10 New Jersey Devils season

New Jersey Devils
Industry	Professional ice hockey
Founded	1974
Headquarters	Newark, United States
Products	Ice hockey team

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article 2009–10 New Jersey Devils season, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 28 November 2025

The 2009–10 season for the New Jersey Devils represented the franchise's 36th campaign in the NHL since its inception in 1974, and its 28th season following the team's relocation from Colorado prior to the 1982–83 campaign.

Off-season

On June 9, 2009, head coach Brent Sutter stepped down to take the helm of the Calgary Flames. During the Entry Draft, the Devils negotiated a trade with Calgary to move up in the order and selected Jacob Josefson with the 20th overall pick. Subsequently, on July 13, 2009, Jacques Lemaire was named head coach for a second stint, having previously guided the team to a Stanley Cup victory in 1995.

Preseason

|- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" | 1 || September 16 || New York Rangers || 3–2 (SO) || Prudential Center – 10,481 || 1–0–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" | 2 || September 23 || New York Islanders || 4–2 || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum – 8,256 || 2–0–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="BBBBBB" | 3 || September 24 || Philadelphia Flyers || 1–2 (OT) || Wachovia Center – 17,650 || 2–0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" | 4 || September 26 || Philadelphia Flyers || 1–0 || Prudential Center – 11,167 || 3–0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" | 5 || September 29 || New York Islanders || 4–2 || Prudential Center – 10,311 || 4–0–1 |-

|

Regular season

During the regular season, the Devils allowed just 186 goals (excluding five shootout goals), which was the lowest total among all thirty NHL teams. Additionally, they demonstrated exceptional discipline by conceding only 240 power-play chances to opponents—the fewest in the league.

On December 21, 2009, in a victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Martin Brodeur established a new benchmark for regular-season shutouts with his 104th career shutout. He further extended this record on December 30, recording his 105th shutout and setting an all-time professional mark.
On April 6, 2010, facing the Atlanta Thrashers, Brodeur achieved his milestone of 600 career wins alongside his career shutout total reaching 110.

Schedule and results

|- align="center" bgcolor="FFBBBB" | 1 || October 3 || Philadelphia Flyers || 2–5 || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 0–1–0 || 0 |- align="center" bgcolor="FFBBBB" | 2 || October 5 || New York Rangers || 2–3 || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 0–2–0 || 0 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" | 3 || October 8 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 4–3 (SO) || St. Pete Times Forum – 17,454 || 1–2–0 || 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" | 4 || October 10 || Florida Panthers || 3–2 || BankAtlantic Center –18,802||2–2–0||4 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |5||October12||Washington Capitals||3-2 (SO)||Verizon Center –18,277||3-2-0||6 |- align="center" bgcolor="FFBBBB" |6||October16||Atlanta Thrashers||2-4||Prudential Center –14,187||3-3-0||6 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |7||October17||Carolina Hurricanes||2-0||Prudential Center –15,021||4-3-0||8 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |8||October22||New York Rangers||4-2||Madison Square Garden –18,200||5-3-0||10 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |9||October24||Pittsburgh Penguins||4-1||Mellon Arena –17,132||6-3-0||12 |- align="center" bgcolor="FFBBBB" |10||October28||Buffalo Sabres||1-4||Prudential Center –14,182||6-4-0||12 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |11||October29||Boston Bruins||2-1||TD Garden –17,565||7-4-0||14 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |12||October31||Tampa Bay Lightning||2-1 (SO)||St. Pete Times Forum –12,154||8-4-0||16 |-

|- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |13||November4||Washington Capitals||3-2||Prudential Center –13,498||9-4-0||18 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |14||November6||New York Islanders||2-1||Prudential Center –14,109||10-4-0||20 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |15||November7||Ottawa Senators||3-2||Scotiabank Place –18,781||11-4-0||22 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |16||November11||Anaheim Ducks||3-1||Prudential Center –14,123||12-4-0||24 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |17||November12||Pittsburgh Penguins||4-1|||Mellon Arena –17,005|||13-4-0|||26 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |18|||November14|||Washington Capitals|||5-2|||Prudential Center –16,521|||14-4-0|||28 |- align="center" bgcolor="FFBBBB" |19|||November16|||Philadelphia Flyers|||2-3|||Wachovia Center –19,673|||14-5-0|||28 |- align="center" bgcolor="BBBBBB" |20|||November19|||Nashville Predators||(SO)||Sommet Center –13,445|||14-5-1|||29 |- align="center" bgcolor="FFBBBB" |21|||November21|||Dallas Stars|||3-5|||American Airlines Center –17,514|||14-6-1|||29 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |22|||November25|||Ottawa Senators|||3-1|||Prudential Center –14,056|||15-6-1|||31 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |23|||November27|||Boston Bruins|||2-1 (SO)||TD Garden –17,565|||16-6-1|||33 |- align="center" bgcolor="CCFFCC" |24|||November28|||New York Islanders|||6-1|||Prudential Center –16,961|||17-6-1|||35 |}

|- align=center bgcolor=FFBBBB |25 |December2 |Vancouver Canucks |2-5 |Prudential Center –13,586 |17-7-1 |35 |- align=center bgcolor=CCFFCC |26 |December4 |Tampa Bay Lightning |3-2 |Prudential Center –15,336 |18-7-1 |37 |- align=center bgcolor=CCFFCC |27 |December5 |Detroit Red Wings |4-3 (SO) |Prudential Center –17,625 |19-7-1 |39 |- align=center bgcolor=CCFFCC |28 |December7 |Buffalo Sabres |3-0 |HSBC Arena –18,690 |20-7-1 |41 |- align=center bgcolor=CCFFCC |29 |December9 |Carolina Hurricanes |4-2 |Prudential Center –12,013 |21-7-1 |43 |- align=center bgcolor=FFBBBB |30 |December11 |Florida Panthers |2-4 |Prudential Center –14,132 |21-8-1 |43 |- align=center bgcolor=CCFFCC |31 |December12 |Philadelphia Flyers |4-1 |Prudential Center –15,724 |22-8-1 |45 |- align=center bgcolor=CCFFCC |32 |December16 |Montreal Canadiens |2−1 |Prudential Center −12,178 |23−8−1 |47 |- align=center bgcolor=CCFFCC |33 |December18 |Ottawa Senators |4−2 |Prudential Center −13,728 |24−8−1 |49 |- align=center bgcolor=CCFFCC |34 |December19 |Atlanta Thrashers |5−4 |Philips Arena −14,616 |25−8−1 |51 |- align=center bgcolor=CCFFCC |35 |December21 |Pittsburgh Penguins |4−0 |Mellon Arena −17,132 |26−8−1 |53 |- align=center bgcolor=FFBBBB |36 December26 Washington Capitals |1−4 Verizon Center −18,277 26−9−1 53 |- align=center bgcolor=CCFFCC 37 December28 Atlanta Thrashers Prudential Center −17,024

Lighting disruption

On January 8, 2010, during a matchup between the Devils and the Tampa Bay Lightning, a power grid failure combined with a malfunction in the computerized lighting control system caused half of the arena’s sports lights to go out. Despite nearly two hours of troubleshooting by PSE&G and Prudential Center electricians, the lighting could not be restored, resulting in the game being halted. The contest resumed two days later with approximately 3,000 of the original 15,129 spectators returning. Both teams and the NHL agreed to waive the regulation that prevents players from competing in three consecutive NHL-sanctioned games. Tampa Bay ultimately prevailed 4–2, with center Steven Stamkos scoring two goals over both portions of the game.

Playoff appearance

By defeating the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on March 27, 2010, the Devils clinched a playoff berth for the 13th straight year and their 20th time in 22 seasons.

2010 Stanley Cup playoffs

Eastern Conference Quarter-finals: vs. (7) Philadelphia Flyers – Philadelphia wins series 4–1
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Series	Recap
1	April 14	Philadelphia Flyers	2–1	New Jersey Devils		Brodeur	17,625	Flyers lead 1–0
2	April 16	Philadelphia Flyers	3–5	New Jersey Devils		Brodeur	17,625	Series tied 1–1
3	April 18	New Jersey Devils	2–3	Philadelphia Flyers	OT	Brodeur	19,957	Flyers lead 2–1
4	April 20	New Jersey Devils	1–4	Philadelphia Flyers		Brodeur	19,709	Flyers lead 3–1
5	April 22	Philadelphia Flyers	3–0	New Jersey Devils		Brodeur	17,625	Flyers win 4–1

Win Loss Win playoff series Eliminated from playoffs

Skaters

Abbreviations: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus rating; PIM = Penalty minutes

Regular season

Player	GP	G	A	Pts	+/−	PIM
Template:Sortname	81	38	44	82	24	32
Template:Sortname	82	25	42	67	22	24
Template:Sortname	81	19	42	61	6	44
Template:Sortname	58	19	29	48	18	40
Template:Sortname	80	20	17	37	2	22
Template:Sortname	78	6	31	37	9	14
Template:Sortname	51	10	17	27	4	28
Template:Sortname^†	27	10	17	27	9	8
Template:Sortname^‡	54	13	14	27	−7	10
Template:Sortname	46	11	13	24	3	85
Template:Sortname	71	10	12	22	3	45
Template:Sortname	79	2	16	18	4	41
Template:Sortname	62	8	9	17	−1	40
Template:Sortname	79	4	10	14	8	57
Template:Sortname	81	2	10	12	8	46
Template:Sortname	22	2	9	11	10	2
Template:Sortname	63	2	8	10	−4	40\|
Template:Sortname	40	0	10	10	2	8\|
Template:Sortname	52	4	5	9	−10	6\|
Template:Sortname	61	3	3	6	3	36\|
Template:Sortname	31	1	3	4	−3	10\|
Template:Sortname^‡	40	2	2	4	2	18\|
Template:Sortname	12	2	1	3	−2	2\|
Template:Sortname^†	19	0	3	3	7	4\|
'Template:Sortname'^†		9		1		2	3	−5	0
'Template:Sortname'		27		0		2	2	−4	48
'Template:Sortname'		20		1		1	2	−4	2
'Template:Sortname'		3		0		1	1	0	4
'Template:Sortname'		9		0		1	1	−2	2	(Additional players with minimal point contributions excluded for brevity)

Playoffs

Goaltenders

Regular season

Player	GP	Min	W	L	OT	GA	GAA	SA	Sv%	SO
Template:Sortname	76	4499	45	25	6	168	2.24	2004	.916	9
Template:Sortname	12	467	3	2	1	16	2.06	207	.923	0

Playoffs

Player	GP	Min	W	L	GA	GAA	SA	Sv%	SO
Template:Sortname	5	299	1	4	15	3.01	126	.881	0

^†Indicates player was with another team prior to joining Devils. Statistics represent only time spent with Devils.
^‡Player traded during the season. Stats reflect performance exclusively with Devils.

Awards and records

Awards

Regular season honors
Player	Award	Award date
Martin Brodeur	William M. Jennings Trophy	Conclusion of regular season
Martin Brodeur	NHL Second Star of the Week	November 30, 2009
Jamie Langenbrunner	NHL First Star of the Week	January 4, 2010
Ilya Kovalchuk	NHL Third Star of the Week	March 29, 2010

Nominations

Regular Season finalists
Player	Award	Result
Martin Brodeur	Vezina Trophy	Finalist

Records

Player	Record (quantity)	Date achieved
Martin Brodeur	NHL record for most career minutes played by a goaltender (60,963)	November 27, 2009
	NHL record for most games played by a goaltender (1,030)	December 18, 2009
	NHL record for most shutouts by a goaltender (104)	December 21, 2009

Milestones

Regular season milestones
Player	Milestone reached	Date
Ilkka Pikkarainen	Debut NHL game	October 5, 2009
Colin White	Played in his 600th NHL game	October 17, 2009
Mike Mottau	Accumulated his 100th NHL penalty minute (PIM)	October 22, 2009
John Oduya	Recorded his 150th NHL penalty minute (PIM)	October 22, 2009
Jay Pandolfo	Reached his 150th NHL penalty minute (PIM)	October 24, 2009
Mark Fraser	Scored his first NHL goal Earned his first NHL point	October 24, 2009
Mark Fraser	Registered his first NHL assist	October 31, 2009
Travis Zajac	Achieved his 150th NHL point	November 4, 2009
Ilkka Pikkarainen	First NHL assist First NHL point	November 6, 2009
Martin Brodeur	Marked his milestone of the 1,000th NHL career start	November 7, 2009
Jamie Langenbrunner	Played in his 900th NHL game	November 11, 2009
Matt Halischuk	Scored his initial NHL goal	November14,2009
Tim Sestito	Recorded first NHL assist First NHL point	November14,2009
Bryce Salvador	Participated in his550th NHL game	November16,2009
Travis Zajac	Registered100th NHL assist	rowspan=2 November19,2009

Transactions

Trades

June 26, 2009	To Calgary Flames First-round selection (23rd overall) in 2009 NHL Entry Draft Third-round selection (84th overall) in 2009 NHL Entry Draft	To New Jersey Devils First-round selection (20th overall) in 2009 NHL Entry Draft
June 30, 2009	To New York Islanders Tony Romano	To New Jersey Devils Ben Walter Conditional draft pick for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (condition unmet)
February 4, 2010	To Atlanta Thrashers Johnny Oduya Niclas Bergfors Patrice Cormier First-round pick in 2010 NHL Entry Draft Second-round pick in 2010 NHL Entry Draft	To New Jersey Devils Ilya Kovalchuk Anssi Salmela Second-round pick in 2010 NHL Entry Draft
March 3, 2010	To Toronto Maple Leafs Fifth-round draft choice in 2010 NHL Entry Draft	To New Jersey Devils Martin Škoula

Free agents acquired

Player	Previous team	Contract details
Ilkka Pikkarainen	HIFK	terms not disclosed
Yann Danis	New York Islanders	One-year deal, $550,000
Cory Murphy	Tampa Bay Lightning	terms undisclosed
Rob Niedermayer	Anaheim Ducks	One-year contract, $1 million

Free agents lost

Player	Destination team	Contract details
Brian Gionta	Montreal Canadiens	Five-year contract worth $25 million
John Madden	Chicago Blackhawks	One-year deal, $2.75 million
Mike Rupp	Pittsburgh Penguins	Two-year contract totaling $1.65 million
Scott Clemmensen	Florida Panthers	Three-year agreement worth $3.6 million

Lost via waivers

Player	Acquiring team	Date claimed on waivers
Jay Leach	Montreal Canadiens	November 6, 2009

Departed through retirement

Player
Brendan Shanahan
Kevin Weekes
Bobby Holík

Player signings

Player	Contract information
Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond	terms not disclosed
Johnny Oduya	Three years, $10.5 million total
Andy Greene	Two-year deal, $1.475 million total
Travis Zajac	Four-year contract totaling $15.55 million
Brendan Shanahan	One-year agreement, $1 million
Mattias Tedenby	undisclosed terms
Jacob Josefson	undisclosed contract details
Eric Gelinas	terms not revealed
Dan Kelly	undisclosed agreement

Draft picks

Selections made by New Jersey at the 2009 NHL entry draft, held in Montreal:

Round	Overall Pick	Player Name	Position	Country	Club Affiliation
1	20 (acquired from Calgary)	Jacob Josefson	Center	Sweden	Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
2	54	Eric Gelinas	Defenseman	Canada	Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL)
3	73 (acquired from Minnesota)	Alexander Urbom	Defenseman	Sweden	Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
4	114	Seth Helgeson	Defenseman	United States	Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
5	144	Derek Rodwell	Left Wing	Canada	Okotoks Oilers (AJHL)
6	174	Ashton Bernard	Left Wing	Canada	Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
7	204	Curtis Gedig	Defenseman	Canada	Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)

Farm teams

During the 2009–10 campaign, the New Jersey Devils' minor league system included the Lowell Devils competing in the American Hockey League and the Trenton Devils participating in the ECHL.

External links

Off-season

Preseason

Regular season

Schedule and results

Lighting disruption

Playoff appearance

Skaters

Goaltenders

Awards and records

Awards

Nominations

Records

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Free agents acquired

Free agents lost

Lost via waivers

Departed through retirement

Player signings

Draft picks

Farm teams

See also

External links

Related profiles