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QMJHL, Devils did right thing with Cormier

January 26, 2010 01:09 AM | Posted by   Elliotte Friedman  

Let's get this out of the way first.

The QMJHL got it 100 per cent right with Patrice Cormier.

And the New Jersey Devils got it 100 per cent right in not asking the AHL to make him eligible at some point this season.

There was some confusion about Cormier's minor-league availability, but the way it works is this: You ask, we'll consider. AHL president Dave Andrews reviews it on a case-by-case basis. For example, when Steve Downie was suspended 20 games for his Dean McAmmond destruction back in September 2007, the Flyers successfully petitioned to have him play for the Philadelphia Phantoms before his NHL ban concluded.

There were some rumblings that Cormier would go to New Jersey – not to play, but skate with the team and learn by osmosis in one of the NHL's most professional dressing rooms. That's not going to happen, either.

"Right now, it's best if he stays with his family," said Lou Lamoriello, the president, general manager and CEO of the Devils. "He needs some time."

(By the way, Lamoriello never said Cormier didn't deserve a suspension. He said he didn't think the law should get involved.)

It's a great message for a lot of reasons. First of all, Cormier isn't worthy of a Get Out of Jail Free card. The only way he'll learn to control himself is by understanding what it's like to lose something you love – the opportunity to play. Second, he'll be able to witness first-hand how Rouyn-Noranda, the team that gave up a boatload to get him, will suffer because of his actions. Third, if any organization can straighten him out, it's the Devils.

Last Friday on HNIC Radio on Sirius, Lamoriello said he hadn't yet talked to Cormier about stopping his recent run of dangerous play. That's changed.

"Since [that interview], I have spoken with Patrice about it," Lamoriello said Monday night from Ottawa, where New Jersey plays Tuesday. "He understands how we feel he must move forward."

That's pretty understated, but the message is clear: We won't tolerate it.

I could only find a pair of Devils being suspended since the lockout – Cam Janssen three games for hitting Tomas Kaberle in March 2007 and Mike Mottau two for elbowing Frans Nielsen in November 2008. Generally, this is not a group that puts up with ridiculous behaviour. Earlier this year, another GM marvelled at how New Jersey gets its players to buy in. Lamoriello has a pretty simple rule: If you don't, you're gone.

He went out of his way to support his prospect in the face of overwhelming (and deserved) criticism, but also delivered a pretty good message: You're going to suffer the punishment and you're going to change.

Undoubtedly, a lot of people feel Cormier should never play again. That's just not realistic. Lamoriello did the right thing.

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