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 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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With one day remaining before the playoffs begin, we’ll take a brief look back at the regular season that was for the New Jersey Devils:

• GM Lou Lamoriello brought back Bobby Holik and Brian Rolston during the off season.
• Devils television voice Mike “Doc” Emrick given the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.
• On  November 1, Martin Brodeur was lost for 50 games and four months with a torn bicep muscle. Scott Clemmensen assumes number one duties, and Kevin Weekes also fills in.
• On the same night, Zach Parise tied the club record for consecutive games with a goal scored (six).
• November 23, Dainius Zubrus scored four goals in Tampa Bay against the Lightning.
• Zach Parise was selected to take part in the annual All-Star Game in Montreal, and scored a goal during the event.
• In Los Angeles, Brian Rolston plays in his 1,000th career game on January 10.
• Brendan Shanahan returned to the Devils on January 19 in Nashville, signing a one-year deal. Shanahan last played for New Jersey March 31, 1991.
• The last week of January, captain Jamie Langenbrunner scored six goals, including three game-winners, in three games. He was named the NHL First Star of the Week and First Star of the Month for January.
• Scott Clemmensen earned back-to-back shut outs over the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins, February 9th and 13th. Clemmensen finished with 25 wins in relief of Brodeur.
• Martin Broduer returned to the line-up on February 26 against the Colorado Avalanche. He stopped 24 shots in a 4-0 shutout, his 547th win and 100th career shutout.
• March 17, a 3-2 win over Chicago gives Brodeur the all-time wins record for a goaltender, 552. He finished the season with 557.
• Also on St. Patrick’s Day, Patrik Elias broke the club record for points, set by assistant coach John MacLean at 701. He assisted on a Brian Gionta, game-winning goal, and donned a green bowler when announced as the second star of the game.
• The Devils won 11 consecutive home games between Feburary 9th and March 20th, longest in franchise history and tied with Boston for the longest stretch of the season for the entire league.
• New Jersey won the Atlantic Division for the seventh time in 12 years, stretched its consecutive playoff appearances run to 12 years, and achieved a record of .500 or better for the 17th straight year. The team won a franchise-record 51 games, and earned 106 points.

From beginning to end, it was a magical season, with plenty of memories for fans to take away for years. Now begins the second season, when beards are thick and men are men. The Devils face a tricky opponent in the Carolina Hurricanes, a team built around goalie Cam Ward and an excellent power play squad.

You can check out all of my playoff coverage here, at ‘The Devils Made Me Do It’, at http://www.nysportscene.com, AND at http://www.mycentraljersey.com.  Pre-season, regular season, post-season, The Devils Made Me Do It is your source for independent Devils insider coverage.

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Top 10 Unusual Things That Happened Tonight:

10. Coach Brent Sutter made a joke during the press conference (this is the third confirmed time this season), responding to a question if he was concerned about putting Brodeur in net with, “Well, I wasn’t going to go in.”

9. David Clarkson got his fight out of the way in the first period, rather than the third.

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First Intermission Report:

-Marty’s gifts: From the NHL, presented by Commissioner Gary Bettman, a plaque commemorating wins #1 and #552 in Brodeur’s career, a crystal etched plaque commemorating #552 (no sign of Doc’s dogs on the plaque), and a plaque to be dedicated in Martin Brodeur Arena in his hometown in Quebec. From the Devils, presented by Jeff Vanderbeek, a painting of Brodeur by local artist, a life-size painting of Brodeur in the crease, a sterling silver full-size goalie stick from Tiffany & Co. engraved with 552. From his teammates, presented by Jamie Langenbrunner, Patrik Elias, John Madden and Colin White, a basket with golf balls, wine and 4 nights and 3 rounds of golf at Pebble Beach, home to the 2010 U.S. Open.

-Game notes. Weekes gave up a soft goal 1:44 into the game when Evgeny Artyukhin took the puck the length of the ice on the right side and put a wrister on goal that bounced past Weekes and into the net. Since that goal, Weekes played much better, including making a terrific save on Steven Stamkos while Tampa was on a power play.

- The Devils gave up 11 shots on goal during the first period, and put 10 of their own on against Karri Ramo. They showed life, battling for pucks in the offensive zone (not nearly as hard in the defensive end, but at this point they will take what they can get). Brian Gionta is leading the way in effort, with David Clarkson adding to the energy with a fight with 2 minutes left in the period.

End of One: Tampa 1, New Jersey 0

***

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Tonight before the Devils game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Martin Brodeur will be honored for breaking the all time wins record. Brodeur will not be playing tonight, Kevin Weekes is getting the start, but there will be a 10-15 minute ceremony before the game and after warm-ups.

In the media room, it was speculated that Brodeur will receive a painting, a framed jersey and an etched crystal plaque with Doc Emrick’s dogs on it (just kidding). One of the Telemundo people suggested it may be a crystal mask. Hopefully it’s not one with MB30 on it — that mask really hasn’t brought a lot of luck lately.

Speaking of masks, Karri Ramo of the Lightning has a terrific mask, as pointed out by my pal Mike Ashmore, who happens to be taking a break from the Trenton Devils to accompany me to the game tonight (check out the story I did with him about the up and coming players in the organization).

"Brain Damage"

Granted, most NHLers would call it brain damage wanting to play for the Lightning, but it’s cool to see a young guy put effort into representing his club.

In other notes, no Patrik Elias tonight, and apparently Andy Greene also has an ankle injury, so we’ll definitely see Jay Pandolfo in the line up and possibly Jay Leach.

I’ll be back to update during intermission and post game tonight. As always, stay tuned to see if the Devils can pull themselves out of of this losing skid.

***

Video from Marty’s Ceremony. A list of gifts to come at intermission.

Ceremony video

speech-2

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There is a unique tension in the air amongst New Jersey Devils followers. The trade deadline is fast approaching, as well as the return of Martin Brodeur, and it seems like Lou Lamoriello has some big decisions to make.
First of all, with New York firing Tom Renney with less than a quarter of the season left, the Rangers are serious about righting the ship (weather they’re going about it the right way or not is yet to be seen).
Does this mean that Lou’s got to bolster the defense, or the offense, or add another pest to the team? And if he does, what does that do to the team chemistry, which has obviously pulled the Devils through some difficult stretches this year.
Also, outside forces may encourage Lamoriello to trade a goalie before we know for sure if Brodeur is ready to come back. With the Sabres’ Ryan Miller out for who knows long with an ankle injury, Kevin Weekes would make an excellent replacement goalie to help Buffalo in the home stretch. He’s proven himself over and over again, here and in Carolina, so there is interest in him. But, what if Marty isn’t as ready as he’s telling Lou and Brent? What if that surgically-repaired tendon doesn’t want to make the playoff push? Can Scott Clemmensen truly be the answer night in and night out in a playoff run? Lou may be pressured to make a decision before we know all the facts.
I’m sure the Devils will be in the mix for a trade this year. But without too many prospects, an overflow of talented goalies, and a sneaking feeling that the defensive core may need an upgrade, the front office may be in for a very stressful next few weeks.

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First and most importantly, the return of the….

Gio Tracker!

Gio Tracker! Brian Gionta scored a shorthanded goal Friday night against the Atlanta Thrashers in “Revenge of the Worst Hockey Game Ever,” at 8:08 of the third period. The Devils won 5-1 infront of a very solid Kevin Weekes, raising the Gio Tracker stats to 11 wins in the 12 games that Gionta has scored a goal. The current GT winning percentage is: 91.7%. 

In other news, Colin White will not play tonight against the L.A. Kings after taking a shot to the left hand during last night’s win. He missed the second and third period, and it is possible that he may have a broken hand. Jay Leach skated during warm ups, indicating he may replace White in the line-up tonight.

Speaking of Leach, a Trenton Devils alum, another reminder to check out my interview with T-Devs beat reporter Mike Ashmore. Learn about the players like Leach who are trying to work their way up to the big game.

The Devils defeated the Kings in January, 5-1, in Los Angeles to begin a six-game road trip. Scott Clemmensen got win, and New Jersey scored three power play goals (Zajac, Elias, Rolston) in seven attempts.

While the Devils were crushing the Thrashers last night, the cross-Hudson rivals were also getting their rear ends handed to them. Dallas put a 10-2 beating on the Rangers, who were without Henrik Lundqvist, on a night where rumors were afloat that despised forward Sean Avery would be placed on waivers by the Stars and claimed by the Rangers. Personally, I find it disturbing that someone with so little respect for the game would get yet another chance, but it may work out for the best for the Devils. Avery is known as a locker room cancer, being a pest not just on the ice surface. The Rangers are struggling for offense, and Avery, who is completing anger management therapy, truly had only one tremendous goal scoring season.

Another concern for New York would be whose responsibility it would be to keep Avery in check. During his last stint with the Rangers, and partially while in Detroit, Brendan Shanahan was a calming influence on the volitile Avery. With Shanny now with the Devils, who will take that role? Chris Drury doesn’t seem like the type to want to deal with the drama… Is a mediocre player worth this much trouble?

Shanahan, on the other hand, has completely endeared himself to his teammates (as if he hadn’t already) by tussling with Eric Boulton of Atlanta in the first period. Mike Rupp was going to take the offense for a cross-check on Shanny, but the vet went to bat for himself. After watching Shanahan in his first few games with the Devils, you could tell he was looking to take on someone, and I’m glad he finally had the chance. If no one signed me for half the season and I was still an elite player, I’d want to hit someone, too.

Heard at the media dinner table before the game against L.A.: Trade rumors- Chris Pronger to the Devils? Brian Gionta to someone? Kevin Weekes to the Islanders? … Much speculation on the ration of time spent covering Alex Rodriguez’ steroid use versus the Devils’ success. Best guess is estimated to be 12 days of A-Rod, 5 minutes of Devils. Ah, the anonymity of the NHL.

Check out http://www.nysportsday.com for my game story on New Jersey vs. Los Angeles.

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