From limbo to the lineup overnight, Jim Dowd didn’t have much time to congratulate himself on finally signing with the Devils. The same day the NHL registered his contract, he was thrown into the fray.
Now 37, the only New Jersey native ever to play for the Devils was to get a second go-round starting last night vs. the visiting Islanders.
He seemed almost as excited last night as when he made his NHL debut with New Jersey on March 26, 1992, nearly five years after being drafted by the Devils 149th overall in 1987.
“It’s good. It’s real good,” Dowd said.
“It happened real quick even though I’ve been here a couple months.” Brought to camp on a tryout basis, Dowd outlasted the rest of the other hopeful vets. He remained, hoping for a deal, while D Scott Lachance, a former Islanders first-rounder, and LW Nathan Perrott, a former Devils second rounder, failed to stick. Lachance is now playing for the Devils’ Lowell farm while Perrott was released. C Justin Papineau, RW Grant Marshall, and defensemen Dan McGillis and Mike Mottau were all signed players sent to Lowell.
Dowd, who played with Chicago and Colorado last season, spent most of September rehabbing summertime shoulder surgery, but joined practice some two weeks ago.
When Lou Lamoriello waived Dan LaCouture and assigned him to the minors, the cap space was cleared to sign and activate Dowd yesterday, on a two-way deal worth 400G for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, former Ranger LaCouture’s decision to sign with the Devils has landed him in Lowell, now on a minor-league salary.
“It doesn’t seem that it’s going to be a long-term situation,” said LaCouture, who played a total of 29:42 in six of 11 Devils games this season, pointless but even in plus-minus. “I’m going to work hard and keep a good attitude. But I haven’t been sent down since the 1999-2000 season.” Dowd was to become the 13th player to be re-acquired and play for the Devils.
He saw action with the Isles, Flames, Oilers, Wild and Canadiens before playing for the Blackhawks and Avs last season.
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Scott Gomez planned to test his groin in warmups before deciding whether to play. If he sat out, Rupp was expected to be in the lineup . . .
Brad Lukowich did wind sprints in the afternoon and pronounced his bruised ankle “pretty good,” but cautioned, “Baby steps. Baby steps.” . . . Claude Julien returns to Montreal, where he coached the Habs, when the Devils visit tomorrow.
