For his strong first-year efforts, he was named a candidate for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given annually to the NHL's Rookie of the Year.

That year, Langenbrunner also represented his country at the 1998 Winter Olympics, though the Americans fell short of winning a medal.

On March 19, 2002, Langenbrunner was traded with Nieuwendyk to the New Jersey Devils for Jason Arnott, Randy McKay and a first-round draft pick.

He continued his scoring numbers in the playoffs, leading the league in goals (11) and points (18) en route to his second Stanley Cup in a 4–3 series victory versus the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

He again had a strong playoff performance, scoring 13 points in nine games before the Devils lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, in the conference semifinals.

In the 2007 playoffs, Langenbrunner again played well, scoring eight points in 11 games before losing to the Stanley Cup Finals-bound Ottawa Senators.

In the 2008 playoffs, the Devils lost in the conference quarterfinals to the New York Rangers 4–1, though Langenbrunner played well, scoring four points in the short series.

The line was dubbed "ZZ Pops" due to the difference in age between the veteran and the two youngsters who have initials with the letter "Z."

[3] Langenbrunner played extremely well in the second half of the season and went on to set career highs in goals (29), assists (40), points (69) and plus-minus rating (+25).

[7] In his first season with the Blues, in 2011–12, Langenbrunner added depth to the team and was used primarily as a checking line forward, scoring six goals and 24 points in 70 games.

[8] In the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, Langenbrunner participated in only four games with the Blues, posting one assist before an ongoing torn labrum in his left hip required season-ending surgery on February 9, 2013.