(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
After making our way through both New York teams (the Rangers and the Islanders) we're now making our way across the river to New Jersey (I think it's a river anyhow).
While if you asked most people what they thought would happen if Martin Brodeur went down last year, I think one person may have predicted them winning the division.
Then again that guy sells his toenail clippings for fifty cents down by the pier.
2008/09 Record
51-27-4, 106 points, finished third in the Eastern Conference—Lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games (First Round)
Additions
Yann Danis—G (one year/$500k), Ilkka Pikkarainen—F (Europe), and Ben Walter—F (Trade w/New York Islanders)
Subtractions
John Madden—F (FA), Brian Gionta—F (FA), Michael Rupp—F (FA), Scott Clemmensen—G (FA), and Kevin Weekes—G (FA)
Last season I went on record saying that the New Jersey Devils would be screwed if Martin Brodeur went down.
Well, he did and they weren't.
But simply because Scott Clemmensen was able to pull a career year out of who-knows-where doesn’t mean that the Devils are out of the woods.
Praise Pandolfo, Parise and a Little Bit of Langenbrunner
When you look at the front of the New Jersey Devils' lineup, you notice one thing.
The age certainly shines through.
With the recent resigning of Brendan Shanahan (whose 14 points in 34 games last year make him less-than intimidating), the Devils have five wingers who are 33-years-old or older.
Amongst them are Brian Rolston whose predicted "explosion" never happened last year after leaving a defense-first system (although, he was nagged by injuries), and Jay Pandolfo who dropped to just 10 points last year and experienced his worst season defensively in his career; he also saw his slimmest shorthanded ice-time per game margin since 2002-03.
Though some of the aged wonders in New Jersey are starting to slow down, some began to experience a renaissance last season. Jamie Langenbrunner had a career year, netting 69 points and finished with a career-high 29 goals, while Patrick Elias reached the 70-point/30-goal plateau for the first time since 2003-04.
A big reason for those two experiencing big years, was the youth integrated alongside them in Zach Parise.
Parise, who has long been touted as one of the best and most-intelligent players to be overlooked due to the Crosby/Ovechkin/Malkin/Kane/ect. era, he finally established himself amongst the elite last year, shattering his previous career highs.
His plus/minus improved by 17 points, he saw a 29 point increase over 2007-08, and scored 13 more goals last year. He also showed off some dazzling moves with his jaw-dropping skating ability.
While many thought the day would come, this year will be the first in a long line of those that will be defined by Parise's production.
With Parise drawing all of the attention on the top line, Travis Zajac should be able to thrive in a secondary scoring role. Blessed with a big frame and a propensity to shoot, Zajac should continue on as a 20-goal/60-point man in the NHL, with the ability to bump that up to the 65-range depending on his linemates.
One linemate that could slide well in alongside the big center is Matt Halischuk. The former Kitchener Ranger standout put up a solid debut campaign in the AHL, and even registered a point in his first NHL game.
Fellow Kitchener alum David Clarkson will also be back with the team, providing a sturdy third line presence, while Danius Zubrus will provide some scoring of his own.
In the fresh face department, most them aren't quite "fresh" as much as they were forgotten or seen infrequently.
Ilkka Pikkarainen is one of those quasi-fresh faces. Formerly property of the Devils, Pikkarainen went to the Finnish leagues for a few years where he evolved into a solid producer, netting 24 goals in his final season. While it's unlikely he has a mass impact in the NHL during his second go-around, it's still low-risk, high-reward.
Along with the Finn, Nicklas Bergfors will have another shot at the NHL come training camp, while Mattias Tedenby may get a look as well along with Tom Sestito, Bradley Snetsinger, and Michael Swift.
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