New Jersey Devils Preview: Everything You Need to Know About the 2009-2010 Team

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.

Andy Greene and Corey Murphy play a similar style, and both are smaller in stature, so expect one or the other to be paired with the larger and tougher Bryce Salvador. Whoever gets the opportunity first will have to play well in order to stay in the lineup.

It is time for Greene to step up and be consistent after a few up-and-down seasons. If he doesn't, expect Murphy to get a regular spot and the organization to pull the plug on the Andy Greene experiment.

Bottom Line

The Devils have a strong top pair who can move the puck, play well at both ends of the ice, and be effective on the power play. After that, they basically have two third pairs.

They need Lemaire to help tighten up the play and positioning of inconsistent players such as White, Salvador, and Greene. If he can do that, the Devils' defensively responsible forwards and puck possession style should effectively make up for a lack of talent.

Masked Men

Goaltenders

Martin Brodeur and Yann Danis

There really is nothing you can say about Martin Brodeur that hasn't already been said. Chances are that if you are reading a hockey article you are already familiar with the revolutionary career of the winningest goaltender of all time. He is 37 years old this season, but after missing 50 games last year, Brodeur assures all that he feels as good as ever.

With the potential to start in net for Team Canada this February in the Olympics, and two more impending records to be shattered (all-time shutouts and all-time games played by a goalie), Brodeur should be as motivated as ever.

The unenviable position of backup goaltender has been a revolving door in years past, which is fitting, because usually the primary responsibility of Brodeur's backup is to sit at the end of the bench and open the door for the defensemen.

This year the Devils think they have someone who can do the job long-term and could even be a potential option as Brodeur's successor.

French Canadian Yann Danis was signed in the offseason after a somewhat impressive body of work with the Islanders last season. With the Olympic break likely adding more games to Brodeur's always heavy workload, strong play by Danis would allow New Jersey to spell Brodeur in the second half of the season and have him fresh for the playoffs.

Bottom Line

Brodeur doesn't have anything to prove to the pundits in the regular season, as he always plays 70-plus games and keeps his team in games. At 37, though, the Devils really need to be mindful of resting him sporadically and to stick to a plan of giving him rest—one that always ends up out the window once the season begins.

One thing to keep in mind will be to make sure there is no letdown from Brodeur after his stint with Team Canada. A gold medal could leave him somewhat satisfied, while a shaky performance could put added pressure on him come playoff time, where he recently has not been as stellar as in the past.

Putting It All Together

Much to the chagrin of analysts who constantly predict their demise and division foes who have long waited for them to fall, the Devils will once again make the playoffs. If things fall into place, don't be surprised to see New Jersey challenge Philadelphia and reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh for the division title.

With a new coaching staff, an aging goalie, and an infusion of youth, and therefore inexperience, in the lineup, a safe bet would be for this team to finish third in the Atlantic division and to finish fifth or sixth in the Eastern Conference. But that aging goalie is Martin Brodeur, and that new coaching staff is Jacque Lemaire's, so a top four finish is not out of the question.

Basically, it is up to Lemaire to crack the whip and make sure his team brings it every night, because they are not as talented as past Devils teams.

Much responsibility also falls to Lou Lamoriello this year to make up for some less than stellar offseason acquisitions in the post-salary cap era. He may have to pull off a late season deal to acquire missing pieces for a playoff run, something he was once famous for but as of late has not been able to swing.