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Forward Thinking
Expected Forward Lines
Parise—Zajac—Langenbrunner
Rolston—Zubrus—Bergfors
Pikkarainen—Niedermayer—Clarkson
Pandolfo—Pelley—Peters/Leblonde
Expect last year's top trio, the ZZ-Pop line, to remain intact, as coach Jacques Lemaire tries to put together a second line that can provide scoring support. If Brian Rolston can rebound after an injury-plagued, underachieving season, the Devils should be just fine in the scoring department.
Patrik Elias will be out for approximately three to four more weeks, and you can expect him to take over the second line center spot upon his return. That will probably move Dianus Zubrus to the wing on the third line and push Ilkka Pikkarainen to the fourth line or out of the lineup depending on his play.
Jay Pandolfo needs to get off to a good start in order to secure a regular spot in the lineup. He does kill penalties, however, which is to his advantage, but he has been slowed recently by an achy back, which could hinder him early on.
Andrew Peters and Pierre-Luc Letourneau Leblonde are the two "enforcers" on the roster, so expect both of them to make the most of their ice time in order to impress the coaching staff. Though against rivals and tough teams like the Flyers and Rangers, who happen to be the first two opponents this season, it is very possible to see both dress and Pandolfo or Pikkarainen be a healthy scratch.
Rookie Matt Halischuk is the wild card here. He has made the team for now but is the likely choice to be sent to the minors when Elias returns from the injured reserve list. Unlike Leblonde, Pikkarainen, and Pelley, Halischuk does not have to clear waivers to be sent to the AHL, which means the Devils can send him down without the risk of another team claiming him.
Lemaire has loved what he's seen this preseason from former first round pick Niclas Bergfors, who notched a point in each exhibition game and led the team in scoring with five points (one goal, four assists).
It is assumed that the main reason GM Lou Lamoriello let fan favorite Brian Gionta leave this offseason was to make room for Bergfors, who needs to skate with playmakers to be effective. He is a big part of the Devils' future, so expect them to be patient with him and for Bergfors to be a part of the second power play unit.
Look for David Clarkson to have a breakout year, as the 25-year-old buried 17 goals and had a team-leading 20 fights in his previous campaign, while getting mostly third and fourth line duty and rarely playing on the power play. This season we can expect Clarkson around the net on the PP and spending less time in the box, which should lead him to hit the 20-goal plateau.
Recently acquired Rob Niedermayer should provide depth down the middle and be a solid, responsible two-way player. At 6'2" he is strong on the puck and can kill penalties while being able to chip in offensively.
Bottom Line
The Devils' success hinges on Elias' healthy return and Lamoriello's plan to implement youth into the roster. If Bergfors pans out, Clarkson continues to develop, and Zach Parise continues his ascension into superstardom, expect the Devils to have the balanced scoring they need to complement their trademark two-way style.
If Elias can return to top form and once again adjust to playing center, this team could make Lemaire's job easy and allow him to roll three lines capable of playing against almost anyone.
Defensive State of Mind
Expected Defensive Pairs
Martin—Oduya
White—Mottau
Salvador—Murphy/Greene
Unless defensive genius Lemaire decides to shake things up, expect last year's top pair to stay together and log about 25 minutes per game. Though both are offensively gifted defensemen, the two seem to complement each other and are extremely effective at breaking the puck out.
After the top pair, the Devils' defensive talent really falls off, furthering the argument that Johnny Oduya and Paul Martin should be split up.
Longtime Devil Colin White is a warrior type of stay-at-home defenseman, but he is slow-footed, and his hands are not his strong suit. Mike Mottau is a gritty journeyman who has found a home with New Jersey. They have played together before, so unless Lemaire wants to have a puck-mover on each pair, which has long been a staple of the Devils' defensive strategy, expect these two to stay together.
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