by By TOM GULITTI, Staff Writer, North Jersey Media Group , Herald News

Speaking two days after the Devils suffered what he called, "the most devastating loss I?ve ever had as a coach or a player," in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against Carolina, Sutter would not discuss whether he plans to come back in 2009-10 to coach the team for a third season.

"I?m still thinking about what transpired here less than 48 hours ago," Sutter said Thursday after his players gathered for the final time in 2008-09 for a team photo and physicals. "There?s a process you go through with that. It?s been the most difficult thing that?s ever happened to me in my Hockey career as a player or a coach. ? It?s just that it?s not something that I?ve given much time at this point time."

Sutter was still at a loss to explain how the Devils gave up two goals in the final 1:20 on Tuesday to turn a 3-2 lead into a season-ending 4-3 loss.

"It?s something that sticks with you for a long time," he said.

Still, with each day Sutter doesn?t commit to returning, the more he fuels the rumors that have followed him all season. He has admitted that it has been difficult for him being away from his family in Red Deer, Alberta, where he owns a ranch and the Red Deer Rebels, the major junior team he also used to coach.

When asked about his future beyond this season, Sutter has repeatedly said that he evaluates after every season whether he wants to come back. He tried not to talk about it Thursday, but couldn?t avoid the questions.

"I?m not talking about myself," he said. "You guys have heard a bunch of stuff out there that are rumors and I told you at that time and I?m saying it again: I evaluate myself at the end of the year and there?s a process I go through to do that."

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said Wednesday that he wants Sutter to return and expects him to be back, but backed off some Thursday and said, "there has been no timetable" for Sutter?s decision.

"The quickness of everything that?s transpired ? has it been 48 hours yet? ? you usually take a step back and look at yourself first is what I try and do and then sit down and go through all of the other tangible situations and there are several," Lamoriello said.

In addition to worrying about whether his coach will be back, Lamoriello must now start the process of figuring out which of his unrestricted free agents he wants to re-sign. That list includes longtime Devils John Madden and Brian Gionta, left wing Mike Rupp, defensemen Johnny Oduya and Niclas Havelid and goaltenders Kevin Weekes and Scott Clemmensen.

Madden, who has played nine seasons and won two Stanley Cups with the Devils, sounded unsure if he wants to re-sign.

"I guess it basically comes down to I want to go where I?m wanted and that?s it," he said. "Obviously, if I?m wanted here, most likely I?ll be here. But if I?m not wanted here, then I?ll find other employment."

Forwards Brendan Shanahan, 40, and Bobby Holik, 38, also are potential unrestricted free agents, but both are pondering retirement as well. Shanahan and Holik both said they would take some time before making their decisions.

BRIEFS: Holik said he "badly" injured his back doing "silly conditioning" skating after the morning skate Sunday. ? Weekes and D Bryce Salvador admitted they had sprained medical collateral ligaments in their left knees.

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