When Jacques Lemaire returns -- however reluctantly -- to this mess from his Christmas cottage in Canada, the Devils' season already will be essentially over. The campaigns of defenseman Bryce Salvador and winger Zach Parise may be finished, too.
Sources say both Salvador and Parise may wait to return to action until next season. Salvador still is affected by a concussion suffered in preseason, an injury that could imperil his career, while Parise is healing from knee cartilage surgery last month.
Lemaire returned to the family hearth for Christmas after replacing John MacLean as Devils coach Thursday, and promptly losing 5-1 to the Islanders. Their fourth straight defeat left the Devils in undisputed possession of last place in the NHL.
Neil Miller
COACH SPEAK: Jacques Lemaire's return to the Devils bench Thursday didn't give the team much of a lift, as they lost to the Islanders, 5-1. Lemaire said watching the Devils from afar was 'painful.'
Lemaire, 65, will be back behind the bench for tomorrow's visit by the Maple Leafs, and for once, the Devils can't look down their noses or down in the standings at Toronto's darlings.
Taking charge of a team in disarray, Lemaire explained his return from retirement in simple terms. General manager Lou Lamoriello asked.
"He said, 'I need your help,' and at that time, I couldn't say no," Lemaire said. "What he has done for me and my family, I had no choice."
Lemaire would not even list a 14th straight year of playoffs as his goal for the team, outscored a mind-boggling 20-4 in its four straight losses.
"I want this team to be competitive. I want to get this team to play against anyone and be competitive," Lemaire said. "With every game, this team was losing confidence. You see that they don't have a lot of chance to win.
"It was painful. I have to tell you, it was painful. That's why we have to change things. And the players will [change]. I know the players will."
If the players don't change, they'll have to change the players. If they can.
mark.everson@nypost.com
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qtdz
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