New Jersey Devils
On the same day NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the cancellation of the 2004-05 season came official word that Bruce Springsteen will be releasing a new album titled "Devils and Dust" in April. New Jersey's most famous rocker could have been writing about the state's NHL franchise, which might have seen its last shot at another Stanley Cup with its long-standing nucleus blown away in the lockout's cloud of dust.
Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek finally has the plans in place to build his dream arena in Newark.
Now, if only he could actually see his team play. Vanderbeek was approved by the NHL's Board of Governors as the Devils' owner on Sept. 15 - the same day the governors voted to start their lockout. On Wednesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the cancellation of the 2004-05 season.
Assuming the season remains canceled - several sources said there was a player movement Thursday to restart negotiations - Vanderbeek will have to wait until at least October to see the Devils play under his ownership.