A Judge's Decision Sent Devils on a Road to the Cup | 40 YEARS WITH STAN

Things were looking up for the Devils in the summer of 1991, it's just that they were not quite looking up enough.
No question, the fans were pleased that their club had pushed the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins to a seventh and final game in their 1991 playoff. But there was a sense that the team could do more.
"The issue," explained general manager Lou Lamoriello, "was how to make the team better. First of all, we have to see what events unravel before training camp opens in September. One or two could be very significant."
The chain reaction of meaningful changes began in June when winger Brendan Shanahan, a Type 1 free agent, opted to leave the Devils, which was his option.
When Shanny signed with the St. Louis Blues, it presented Lamoriello with the opportunities he previously had sought. For starters, the Devils were entitled to compensation, and, for finishers, Lou chose Blues defenseman Scott Stevens as his prime target.
By any standards, New Jersey's hockey boss was taking a gamble; a huge one, at that. "Lou is asking a whole lot in Scott Stevens" was the press room reaction. "Maybe too much."

For sure, Stevens was a prize. At 27, the 6-2, 210-pounder had matured into one of the most dependable blue liners. Not only that, but he possessed one of the most feared varieties of body checks in the league.
Before the Devils could even think about Stevens heading to East Rutherford, Blues general manager Ron Caron had to produce a counter-offer and it sure was tempting.
"I figured that I could win the arbitration offering Lou both a goalie, Curtis Joseph and a forward, Rod Brind'Amour," said Caron. "It seemed fair to me."
But it wasn't Caron's call that counted. The NHL's arbitrator in this case -- Judge Edward J. Houston -- was a veteran in such cases. In Toronto, he met with Devils and Blues representatives and heard their respective arguments.
The two-for-one aspect seemed to favor Caron, or at least the St.Louis staff thought so -- and said so as well. "We're going to the judgment with the confidence that our offer is the most fair," Caron concluded. "We're ready to pay what we owe."
To the surprise of many, Houston determined that the Blues owed Stevens; and a roar of approval emanated from the Devils' offices in East Rutherford. Although no one could predict Stevens would lead New Jersey to three Stanley Cups, it soon was evident that Scott was an extraordinarily special catch.
But Lou had more challenges on his agenda including another free agent refugee, Troy Crowder who signed on with the Detroit Red Wings. Crowder's claim to Devils fame was a TKO of Detroit's heavyweight champ, Bob Probert and not much else after that.
Being part of the Devils TV team at the time, I frankly did not think Lou would get much for an ice cop, which explains why I nearly fainted in amazement when I learned what New Jersey was awarded -- not just forward Randy McKay but forward, Dave Barr, as well.
"This was an amazing parlay," said one press box wag, "because Randy alone is better than Troy. To also get a terrific defensive forward is like an extra added attraction."
But the attraction of getting Stevens was so bright that it completely overshadowed the McKay-Barr decision. And then, another move even threatened to inspire fans to forget about big Scott.
It was a blockbuster deal in which Lamoriello unloaded captain Kirk Muller and goalie Rollie Melanson to the Canadiens for sharpshooter Stephane Richer and all-purpose forward Tom Chorske.
Lamoriello: "We traded for an explosive talent in Richer. He gives our club a dimension it needed. He can shoot the puck."
But of all the pre-season moves, Judge Houston's decision to award Scott Stevens to New Jersey stood high above them all. What's more, the newcomer was welcomed by veterans such as Bruce Driver and Ken Daneyko.
"Scott is a much-needed piece of the puzzle," said Driver, who replaced Kirk Muller as captain. "The biggest plus is getting a player like that is his physical game."
What mattered most to Lamoriello was how his team would emerge from training camp and into the regular season. And it soon became apparent that Lou's moves had catapulted New Jersey into a contending mode. By mid-January, they trailed the division-leading Rangers by ten points with first place still an option.
One other inconspicuous move then took place on March 26, 1992. With injuries dogging the team -- including goalie Craig Billington -- coach Tom McVie was compelled to insert eight rookies into his lineup.
His addition included a Junior age goaltender named Martin Brodeur who posted an arresting 4-2 win over the Bruins. All indications were that the cool, calm, collected Montrealer would be heard from in the near future.
When the season ended, New Jersey finished with a 33-31-11 mark. With Stevens as their new and powerful asset, the Devils set new team records:
They included the following:
Most importantly, the addition of Steven galvanized the franchise in an upward manner. The club kept improving and Scott soon would be captain and the undisputed leader both on and off the ice.
And the topper, of course, took place in the spring of 1995 when Scotty hoisted the Stanley Cup over his head.
"Maybe," chirped one onlooker, "they should put Judge Houston's name on the Stanley Cup as well."
Put it this way; without Scott Stevens being awarded to New Jersey in that fateful arbitration, the three-Cup run may never have happened!