Good evening from the Prudential Center. It’s the final Pre-season game of the year, and the roster has been chopped to 29. Some of the remaining questions of training camp will be answered tonight, like which of the younger players will step-in to replace the free agents lost over the summer, will the return of Jacques Lemaire come with the return of the Cup, and and just exactly what will Rob Niedermayer’s role be in the clubhouse with dynamo leaders like Langenbrunner and Shanahan?

A couple of things are already set in stone: Martin Brodeur is back with more record to set, the ZZ Pop line has the potential to be just as explosive as last season, and the defense will be increasingly solid as the season moves foreward.

The Islanders are playing John Tavares tonight, and the first pick in this year’s entry draft has a lot of pressure to turn around a franchise that has so many years and so much money invested in a goaltender that may not see a third of a season’s action for what feels like the seventh year in a row (Rick “DNP” DiPietro).

Here are some thoughts on the upcoming season based on what I’ve seen so far:

1. Zajac might eclipse Parise in scoring this season. The improvement Zajac made last season has been built upon, and he could have a breakout season, which is completely opposite of my second thought…

2. Scoring is going to be way down this season. We’ve been sold that Lemaire isnot going to be the defensive megalomaniac that he was last go round, but you  can already tell that the offensive firepower will not be the priority of this club this year, which may be because…

3. Brodeur could see a drop off this season. The man has only a few more records to break, and though we know he still has a desire to play and play at a high level, does he still have the desire to be Martin Brodeur? The signing of Yann Danis, who blanked the Devils last season for the Isles, was no mistake, and not necessarily a response to Kevin Weekes and Scott Clemmensen leaving… remember, Weekes was still on the roster when Danis signed.

4. Big moves will be made this season. Whether before the trade deadline, or a surprise move early, I believe the Devils are shopping their players and for players. Brent Sutter had just enough time to mold the team in his liking before he jumped ship. With a different regime, and a possible salary cap reduction pending, there may be some serious money moved before we say goodnight.

5. Cory Murphy will make an impact this season. The Devils have been missing a true power play point man to compliment Paul Martin for a while. Clarkson said after the first pre-season game that he was very impressed with Murphy’s power play acumen. Murphy has been in the system for a while, and this may be the year when he joins the big leagues and makes his name known.

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The Devils just sent out a press release stating that center Rob Niedermeyer signed a one-year contract with the Devils today.
R. Niedermeyer’s brother, Scott, played 13 seasons in New Jersey and was a part of all three Stanley Cup Champion teams.
Continuing with my “Step by Step” theme, the last line of the theme song was, “We’ll make it better, the second time around…” Lemaire redux, another Niedermeyer on the roster? Sounds like Lou’s been watching re-runs on ABC Family.

Welcome back to New Jersey, Niedermeyer family!

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It’s a good thing that Martin Brodeur is in net tonight. The Devils aren’t necessarily doing the best job of keeping the shots away from Brodeur, or staying out of the penalty box.

The Flyers struck first tonight on their second power play. The penalty came on boarding by Peters, and after a less-than-terrific fight between Matt Fraser and Dan Carcillo (DOWN goes Fraser!), Matt Carle was in the slot to fire a one-timer off a Danny Briere pass from the left faceoff circle that went top shelf on Brodeur.

Tonight’s lines for the Devils: Zajac-Parise-Langenbrunner, Pelley-Rolston-Clarkson, Bergfors-Sesitito-Halischuk, Pandolfo-Zharkov-Peters.

Kevin Harvick of NASCAR fame is here, a few days before the Chase Race in Dover. This has sparked conversation in the pressbox about the Flemington dirt race track (that is now a Wal-Mart) and other local New Jersey race tracks either operational or defunct. I really enjoy listening to my fellow writers talk about what New Jersey life was liek before I got here.

Ray Emery has done a good job in net for the Flyers. He just stopped a great chance by Langenbrunner as the Devils take over the shots-on-goal lead with a minute left in the first.

End of 1: Flyers 1, Devils 0. Shots on goal: Flyers 8, Devils 7

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Posted under Game Threads

A few notes before the puck drops tonight at the Wachovia Center…

James van Riemsdyk of the Old Bridge/Middletown area is on the verge of making the Flyers roster. The former University of New Hampshire player has scored at least a point in each of the Flyers first four pre-season games. He received the loudest applause during the announcement of starting lineups.

The Devils cut their roster down on Sunday, and again today. Remaining with the club is goalie Jeff Frazee, and defenseman Cory Murphy, who had two assists in Wednesday’s 4-2 win against the Islanders. Murphy has made a big impression on his coaches and big-league teammates.

2009 Draft pick Alexander Urbom was sent to his junior club earlier today after his extended look from the parent club. Urbom played against the Rangers last Wednesday, and earned two penalty minutes. It was apparent, especially from Lemaire’s comments after the game, that Urbom would have had to have a terrific scoring night in order to be considered for the NHL team. He showed he can play with the big boys, but the next step in his development is learning how to shine at the very highest level of play.

Only the Devils and the Hurricanes have two preseason games behind them. The Islanders, Panthers and Coyotes have all played seven preseason games, and several teams have already played six tilts. The Devils had seven days in between the first preseason game of the year against the Rangers and Wednesday’s win on Long Island.

Speaking of Phoenix, Wayne Gretzky resigned today from his coaching position. With all of the tumult in that organization, that even The Great One couldn’t settle, it is not surprising he’s jumping ship.

Former-Devil Brian Gionta has been very successful with the Montreal Canadiens. Gionta scored three goals and added an assist in three pre-season games, and is near the top of the league in shots taken. Gionta’s younger brother, Stephen, who is still in the Devils’ system, was reassigned to Lowell on Sunday.

Martin Brodeur is making his first start of the pre-season. It will be interesting to see what he’s able to do after more rest.

A few thoughts on the offseason… Travis Zajac got married (congrats to Travis), and honeymooned in Maui. I’m sure by January, a little time in Maui would sound pretty darn good… David Clarkson said he spent his summer at home, in his house just down the street from his mom’s. His nephews, all under the age of 5, spent a lot of time with Uncle David, who said he expects to have his eldest nephew on skates this winter… I do believe I spotted Bobby Holik at a concert in Saratoga, NY a few days after he announced his retirement. (Possibly) spotting Holik in the offseason reinforced my belief that his retiring as a Devil was the absolute right thing to do.

Now, as the P.A. blast “Du Hast” by Rammstien, it’s time to get ready for game three of the 2009-10 pre-season.

Posted under News, Notes and Musings

Preseason always reminds me of “Step by Step”, the 90’s sitcom based in Port Washington, WI (10 min from my hometown) about a blended family and all of its dysfunction.

While cuts are still being made after tonight’s preseason tilt with Philly, this blended family of veterans, rookies and all in-between makes for an interesting dynamic. Usually after a game, win lose or draw, there is a sense of togetherness in the Devils’ locker room. After last Wednesday’s game, a win against New York, there was a distinct tension in the room. Whether it was from unfamiliarity, since many of the guys had just met a few days earlier, or the fact that decisions on who would remain with the NHL club were coming soon, it just felt awkward.

Now, a men’s hockey lockerroom can be awkward for a female reporter for many varied (and obvious) reasons, but this was not the case on Wednesday. The unfamiliarity with the players, the lack of some of the normal faces we’ve become accustomed to, it was just a weird scene, especially after a win. We’ll see, now that the roster’s been narrowed down to 32, if there is a better sense of comradere after tonight’s game.

I won’t try to make comparisons between the characters of “Step by Step” to the characters on the Devils (finding a Suzanne Somers amongst a group of professional athletes would not be good for my career), but the team is a crazy, mixed up bunch of almost-parental figures, young veterans and energetic youth. Now if only they had such a catchy theme song…

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The smell of popcorn in Penn Station. The click-clack of heels on the press-row floor. The mischievous look on David Clarkson’s face as he dodges Sean Avery.

It’s good to be back.

I won’t say the Prudential Center is rocking, but a healthy preseason crowd gave a great ovation to Jaques Lemaire before the game, and rowdy boos to Sean Avery during. It does help when Avery picks up a double minor at the end of the first half, goalie interference and unsportsmanlike conduct (Really? Avery? Would’ve never guessed).

But while the league’s favorite villain (besides Rangers teammate Donald Brashear) is in mid-season form, the rest of the Blueshirts looked a little pathetic on offense.

Shanny looks great in number 14 again, despite it meaning Gionta is truly a Canadien.

The refs are in preseason form too, as I just saw one grab onto the goal post for dear life to Yann Danis left-hand side. Nothing like a freshly resurfaced sheet of ice.

You know this whole getting back into the rhythm of writing and watching and eating and such is harder than I expected. I totally just missed a fabulous fight between Mark Fraser and Aaron Voros. Fraser is a younger guy trying to earn a roster spot. Going toe-to-toe with Voros, a legitimately tough guy, should give him some attention. Fraser held his own.

Side note: This is my friend, colleague and neighbor Mike Ashmore. He covers the Trenton Devils for the Hunterdon County Democrat. Mike and I are usually quite good friends, but on Rangers-Devils games, I feel it is bad karma to carpool with him. I may not be green, but I’m definitely not Blue.

Back to the game, Clarkson just scored his second power-play goal of the night. The power of the Assistant Captaincy is with him.

 It seems that the Devils’ drills are paying off more than the Rangers skating. A Rangers beat writer told me that the Blueshirts used the first two days of training camp to skate in circles (or ovals, to be more precise). Brian Rolston told Bergen Record writer Tom Gulitti that the first few days of camp have been instructional and game-paced.

Also, Yann Danis has proven himself as a solid backup for Marty Brodeur. With 2 minutes to go in the second, he’s stopped all 20 shots faced, including several power play opportunities for the Rangers. He’ll be replaced by Jeff Frazee for the third period, but the first two have made a believer out of me (if the shutout he posted against the Devils last year while with the Islanders wasn’t enough).

End of second period, 2-0 Devils in the David Clarkson show.

By the way, for those on Twitter (and who’s not these days), I am tweeting @devsblog  any updates, random thoughts and shameless self promotion. I suggest if you are a fan of any of those three options, I suggest you follow my twitter @devsblog.

So, less than a minute into the third, Clarky already has another offensive opportunity, which begs the moral question; do you throw your hat onto the ice for a pre-season hat trick? Please leave your feedback in the comment box below!

For Boston University fans checking in tonight, Matt Gilroy scored his “first” professional goal 3;03 into the first period. The 25-year-old NCAA Championship hero has made an impression on the Rangers staff, and could likely make the team. He does have an age advantage over some of the other rookies in the chase for a roster spot. I would assume that with age comes maturity, but anyone who knows hockey players knows that’s not always the case.

I’d love to take the time to comment on the Devils’ youngsters, but other than Fraser’s fight, I haven’t really seen much of anything, good or bad. Bergfors has an assist, but I’d hardly call him one of the youngsters. He’s been on the cusp of making the big leagues for at least a season, and it is good that he’s taking advantage of the opportunity this time around. PL3 (Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond for some, PL3 for me) also had a terrific fight, this one against Brent Henley, but again, he’s had opportunity with the NHL-level Devils before.

Well, since it is preseason, I’m going to head to the bench early to save my typing fingers for the regular season. Again, welcome back, hockey fans. We’ve missed you.

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The Gio Tracker is no more.

I know Brian Gionta was too expensive, Lou knows Gionta was too expensive, we all know Brian Gionta was too expensive.

That doesn’t make me any happier about him leaving for the Habs. Gio will be reunited with Scott I-Can-Like-Him-A-Little-More-Now-Because-He’s-Not-A-Ranger Gomez, giving the team a little lift with players who at least know they can play together (and without organized crime ties. A bonus!).

Losing Gionta, Mike Rupp, Kevin Weekes, Scott Clemmensen and John Madden will definitely change the make-up of the team. This gives a lot of opportunity for younger players to move up in the ranks, and it does clear future cap room, even if the cap does decrease in 2010 (more on that in another blog). But there could be quite the learning curve this upcoming season.

Be sure to check back when pre-season begins, because someone is going to have to identify all of the new faces in the locker room!

And, just one last time…

Gio Tracker!

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Well, I thought it would be bad karma to leave the last post before tonight’s game a review of Game 7.
The Devils have a new coach, a new team and a new season to race for the Cup. It begins tonight when the Devils play host to the Rangers (can you think of a better preseason opener? I cant.) at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Also, this is a new season for “The Devils Made Me Do It.” I’m hoping to have a lot more content, and better quality content, for Devils fans out there. It’s an exciting time to be a hockey fan!
But first, I need a haircut and some triple A batteries for my voice recorder.
Pre-season isn’t just a warm up for the athletes, you know.
I’ll be back tonight from the Prudential Center with more pre-game, in-game, and post-game info on the kickoff to the Devils’ season!

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