Cory Schneider says the New Jersey Devils‘ most shocking loss this off-season could be just what the Toronto Maple Leafs need.
In one of his final big-splash moves in Jersey, general manager Lou Lamoriello aggressively sought out the No. 1 goaltender to succeed a legend in Martin Brodeur.
But the man who finally granted Schneider, 29, the NHL playing time and financial security he wanted took a step back this summer, then a flight north.
Schneider simultaneously laments the departure of Lamoriello and sees his former boss as a fantastic fit with the new-look Leafs.
“Toronto needs a rebuild of some sort. They’re obviously starting over and making new moves, and he’s a good guy to be a part of that. He instills work ethic, discipline, responsibility [and] accountability. All those things you need in a winning team, Lou has been doing for 30 years,” Schneider told Sportsnet during a recent sit-down.
“Anybody who has played for him, with him, they’ll tell you they see him as a father figure: someone who gets guys working their hardest. Accountability is the word. Toronto has some good young players and a lot of talent, so I think Lou is a good guy to get them on the right track and headed up the standings.”
In retrospect, Lamoriello’s head-spinning trade for Schneider at the 2013 draft — the Devils surrendered the ninth-overall pick (Bo Horvat) to land their new workhorse — seems almost preordained. After he was drafted by the Canucks in 2004, Schneider backstopped his Boston College Eagles to two Lamoriello trophies as Hockey East champions.
Last July, Lamoriello waited all of eight days into the negotiating window to lock up Schneider with a seven-year, $42-million extension that includes trade protection, making Roberto Luongo’s former backup one of the top-10 highest-paid goalies in the league.
For all the Devils’ offensive flaws in 2014-15, Schneider played a career-high 69 games and posted a sparkling .925 save percentage. This summer he and wife Jill bought a new home in Jersey, which is a manageable drive from where they grew up in Massachusetts. A baby boy is due in five weeks.
That Lamoriello aggressively sought Schneider and remained true to his plan to set him up as Brodeur’s successor as The Man is not lost on the father-to-be.
“I owe him a lot. He got me to New Jersey. He extended me there, and he’s a big reason why my life is where it’s at. I owe him a lot for that,” Schneider says. “We’re sad he’s gone. It’s going to be different in New Jersey for sure, but I’m sure he’s excited he has this opportunity in Toronto.”
Schneider chuckles in agreement that the Maple Leafs have hired a nearly mythical figure in hockey circles. Lamoriello prefers his charges clean-shaven, his sweater numbers traditional, and his contract terms undisclosed.
Since Lamoriello left, Mike Cammalleri changed his number to unlucky 13 (previously a no-no) and Eric Gelinas bumped his number to 44 (Lou preferred skaters to keep numbers under 30). When new GM Ray Shero re-signed Adam Larsson the club released not only the years (six) but the money as well ($25 million), something that would have never happened under Lamoriello’s watch.
In Schneider’s short time with New Jersey, he has collected no shortage of Lamoriello tales — but telling them to a guy holding a voice recorder is another story.
“Part of his aura, his persona is that he doesn’t want people knowing. Whatever happens in the room stays in the room is his big mantra. And I don’t disagree with that. The fans, the media, they’re entitled to interactions and questions and trying to figure out what’s going, but at the end of the day, what’s said in that locker room is privy to us only,” Schneider says.
“It’s going to be interesting to see what he divulges and what he doesn’t. And interesting to see what he allows. Toronto is such a media hub. The centre of town. And in Canada it’s a different world than in New Jersey. I’m sure he’ll handle it well. And when you get to know him, he’s a really nice guy. He’ll talk to you for hours about hockey if you get him going.”
