The seasoned mastermind had finally gotten a step ahead of himself. It appeared evident. With just eight games remaining in the hockey season, the Devils, a team seasoned with experience, were well-positioned, heading toward a total of 102 points. Recently, they hadn’t been exerting full effort, more due to the timing in the season than any dwindling of skill.

But the old genius couldn’t take any more. 

Thus, Lou Lamoriello dismissed Robbie Ftorek with eight games left in the 1999-2000 season. The Devils — both then and now — were not typically a focal point for talk radio discussions. Although there weren’t numerous specific podcasts dedicated to Devils fans that could quickly spark widespread outrage, there were still basic chat rooms, many of which were buzzing with activity. 

That day, Lamoriello was “on the move,” but I called the Long Island Marriott next to Nassau Coliseum, suspecting that was his destination. It was there that Larry Robinson, Lamoriello’s pick to replace Ftorek, would be making his introductory appearance (I was penning sports columns for the late, esteemed Newark Star-Ledger at that period). He answered on the first ring.