NHL Season Preview: New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils


Last Seasons standings: record- 46-27-9 for 101 points. The Devils were tied for 1st in the Atlantic Division, 3rd overall in the Eastern Conference last season

In: Jamie Langenbrunner F; Patrick Elias F; Colin White D; Mike Rupp F (prev team: Phoenix Coyotes)

Out: Ken Klee D (new team: Colorado Avalanche); Viktor Kozlov (new team: NY Islanders)

Season Outlook: Fair: This rating is mainly due to the fact that they have the greatest goalie in the world backstopping tem ane locked up at least through this year in Martin Brodeur. However 2 of their key players from last year in Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez have yet to sign on the dotted line. Key d-man Paul Martin is also unsigned. The Devils have the biggest tight-wadded GM in Lou Lamoriello. As a result, the Devils have been content to stay relatively quiet this off-season. If the season started tonight, they would be led by Patrick Elias, Jason Wiemer and Jamie Langenbrunner up front. On defense, they would be led by Brad Lukowich and Richard Matvicuk. All of these names will not strike much fear into opponents. The Devils will be praying that Brodeur bounces back from an off-year by his standards and that he doesn'ty sustain any injury that will keep him out for any length of time next year. At this point, they need to re-sign the killer G's (Gionta and Gomez) and soon.

Season Prediction: Assuming there are no significant injuries, the Devils should be able to slide into the playoffs taking spot #4. They will be second in their division behind the high-flying Philaelphia Flyers.