I personally would like to see fresh blood coming in to the team with some return players from this season but not players from previous Devils teams apart from Fournier maybe, we didn't have a defenceman this season who sling shots around the net and breaks out at speed.
Previous players were great for us while they were here and worked well with Lord.
We'll be in third season since they left, Lord isn't here to coach them, they're older, maybe slower, maybe lost a bit of edge, maybe hampered by more injuries, stepping back for them may not be the best of options in their mind set and they may not be the type of player the new coach would want for their style of play.
To step back would be a fan pleaser yes but a good decision for a team that wants to evolve and better themselves moving forward, I'm not so sure.
Because we won trophies with these players doesn't mean we need them back to win trophies again.
All we need is the right recruitment from the start and no need to look to past players.
Bowns, Hotham, Martin, Myers etc all outstanding players for the Devils cause but we have to improve on them if possible with every recruitment drive as our competitors will be.
As others said maybe bring them back for lower third, fourth line and second nettie if anything.