Robinson Returns to New Jersey as an Assistant

Recently fired coach Larry Robinson is returning to the New Jersey Devils as an assistant while John Cunniff undergoes treatment for a recurrence of throat cancer.

Cunniff, who became an assistant under Kevin Constantine when Robinson was fired Jan. 28, spent the last two weeks as an assistant to Herb Brooks on the U.S. Olympic team that won a silver medal at Salt Lake City.

Devil President Lou Lamoriello said Cunniff was told about the cancer before the Olympics, and that he wanted to go Salt Lake City anyway.

“That’s the way he is,” Lamoriello said. “I have known him for such a long time. He’s an exceptional person. This is John.”

Robinson was to rejoin the Devils today, when they return from the Olympic break for a game in New York against the Rangers.

Robinson, who has been at his home in Florida, was not immediately available for comment.

Constantine didn’t think it would be awkward working with the man he replaced.

“It’s different, but different only in that it hasn’t been done that much before,” said Constantine, who has guided the Devils to a 4-1-2 record since taking over.

Devil captain Scott Stevens said Robinson was the first person he thought of when he heard that Cunniff would be leaving the team.

“It will work,” Stevens said. “That’s not even a question.”

That was the same business approach that Lamoriello used when he fired the easygoing Robinson in January, less than a season after the Hall of Famer led the Devils within one victory of consecutive Stanley Cup titles.

“I still think Larry’s an excellent coach,” Lamoriello said when he fired Robinson. “Larry did everything and anything he possibly could. They weren’t responding on a consistent basis.”

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Brendan Shanahan, who had an assist in Canada’s run to the gold medal at Salt Lake City, broke his right thumb during the Olympic tournament.

Shanahan, who leads the Detroit Red Wings in scoring with 30 goals and 27 assists, confirmed to The Detroit News that his thumb was broken during his first shift in a game against Finland.

Red Wing spokesman John Hahn said that the team’s medical staff will look at Shanahan’s thumb when the left wing returns to the team.