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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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.

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