When the Devils visited the White House today to show off their Stanley Cup, President Clinton was just returning from a visit to, of all places, Nashville.

Far from an omen, the President's itinerary was rendered more of a footnote with word that the team and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority were close to striking a deal to keep the Devils from moving to Tennessee. That's why Lou Lamoriello, the team's president and general manager, was not on hand for the celebration. Unfortunately, few others on the team appeared to have as good an excuse for skipping the visit.

Coach Jacques Lemaire did not make the trip, and neither did Claude Lemieux, the most valuable player in the playoffs who was singled out for praise by the President. In fact, only nine players showed up to greet President Clinton for the brief ceremony in the East Room of the White House.

At least the Devils were on time. For those who have forgotten, the Rangers were about 90 minutes late because of fog for their appointment with the President after winning their first Stanley Cup in 54 years.

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"It was a late notice," Bruce Driver offered as an excuse for the majority of his teammates missing the visit with President Clinton. "Remember that we went through a grueling season and some guys made plans for trips they couldn't cancel."