The Biggest Takeaways Early in New Jersey Devils' Preseason

The New Jersey Devils' first preseason game of the 2013-14 season is in the books, and several players looking to earn a spot on the final roster may have gained some ground.

The Devils defeated the New York Rangers 2-1 on Monday night, but the score does not matter much in the preseason. Player performances do.

Obviously, with training camp barely a week old, nothing is set in stone yet, but it is never too early to make a good impression.

Playing well in practices and scrimmages goes a long way, but the preseason games are where young players really earn their places in their organizations.

With one preseason game down and a week of training camp behind them, let's examine some of the biggest takeaways from the New Jersey Devils' preseason to this point.

Jagr and Elias Are Fine

Fans hoping to see Patrik Elias or Jaromir Jagr in Monday night's preseason game were out of luck. Head coach Pete DeBoer announced that they'd both be scratched for the Devils' preseason opener against the Rangers.

The decision should not have come as a surprise. Both veterans missed time this week with minor injuries.

Jagr had only practiced for about ten minutes before leaving the ice with "soreness," but the Devils are not worried. 

Over the weekend, DeBoer told Rich Chere of The Star-Ledger, "I'm not concerned about it in the long term. So we're not going to rush him."

Patrik Elias, meanwhile, appears to be even closer to returning to practice. Prior to tonight's game, DeBoer told Tom Gulitti of The Record that Elias could have skated on Sunday if he wanted to.

Devils fans should not be concerned with Elias' and Jagr's early injuries. The preseason is not nearly as important for veterans as it is for the young players trying to make the team.

DeBoer echoed that sentiment to Tom Gulitti.

"If it's Jagr, I could care less what he does in the preseason. If it's Elias, same thing," he said. "If it's one of those young guys, this is their chance to separate themselves."

So fear not, Devils Army. Elias and Jagr should be on the ice well in advance of opening night.

Forward Competition Just Got Tighter

Shortly before the start of the Devils' preseason game against the Rangers, the team announced that they signed Damien Brunner to a professional tryout.

Considering Brunner's offensive upside, it would be an upset if he does not make the team.

Although offering no promises about the forward, GM and president Lou Lamoriello told Rich Chere about what Brunner brings to the table.

"He's a natural scorer," he said. "He's scored throughout his whole career. He's a very skillful player."

While Damien Brunner should be a welcome addition to the offensively-challenged Devils, he does throw a wrench in the pool of young forwards who were trying to make the final roster.

Jacob Josefson, Mattias Tedenby, Reid Boucher and Stefan Matteau, among others, were hoping to show enough in camp and in preseason games to make the team.

Brunner's arrival will likely mean one less spot for them to compete for.

In the first preseason game, Mattias Tedenby, whom DeBoer had told Tom Gulitti was "knocking on the door," made a strong case for himself.

He scored a goal and displayed great hustle throughout. He even made a nice defensive play to clear the puck out of harm's way in the tightly contested third period.

One preseason game is not enough to secure a spot in the lineup, but Tedenby took one step past his competitors on Monday night.

Schneider Shuts out the Rangers

Cory Schneider played in his first game for the New Jersey Devils, and he looked well worth the first-round pick that was traded for him.

He faced 22 shots from the Rangers in two periods of action and stopped all of them.

Going into the game, Schneider had told Rich Chere that he was looking forward to facing the New York Rangers in his first game for New Jersey.

"It's a big rivalry here. We don't like losing to them. Even though it's a preseason game, it's a game you want to win."

He backed up his words in a big way in the Prudential Center.

Schneider seemed comfortable all night between the pipes. His best moment was a spectacular diving stick save while the Rangers were on the power play.

Cory Schneider was virtually flawless in his first appearance for the Devils, and he gave fans a lot to be excited for in 2013-14.

Defensemen Contribute to Offense

Over the weekend, Adam Larsson was talking to Rich Chere about putting together a more complete 2013-14 season.

"Maybe I'll try to be more offensive this year," he had said. "We'll see what the coaches ask of me."

It looked on Monday night like he got his answer.

Larsson fired five shots against the Rangers. Although only one was on net (two missed the net and two were blocked), he definitely seemed more focused on creating offense.

Larsson also saw time with the Devils' power play unit where he took a couple of shots and made a couple of nice passes. Nothing came of the shots Larsson took on Monday night, but if he continues to create opportunities, the points will follow.

Meanwhile, a young defenseman trying to make the team did see something come of one of his shots.

Less than a minute into the third period, Eric Gelinas scored with a slap shot from the blue line to give the Devils a 2-0 lead.

Although the goal was technically an even-strength goal, Rick Nash had just left the penalty box and was not yet back in position.

If Gelinas can continue to make things happen with his big shot on the power play, he has a good chance to make the Devils' final roster.

But, once again, it is going to take more than one game to lock up a spot on the final roster.