NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Scott Clemmensen, G (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Toronto Maple Leafs)
Fedor Fedorov, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously playing in Europe)
Bobby Holik, C (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Atlanta Thrashers)
Brian Rolston, RW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Minnesota Wild)
NOTABLE LOSSES
Arron Asham, RW (Signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Flyers)
Sergei Brylin, LW (Signed with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League)
Richard Matvichuk, D (Unsigned Free Agent)
Karel Rachunek, D (Signed with Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League)
2007-08 Season Finish: 2nd Atlantic Division, 4th Eastern Conference
2007-08 Playoffs: Lost 4-1 to the New York Rangers in Quarterfinals
2008-09 Prediction: 2nd Atlantic Division, 4th Eastern Conference
The New Jersey Devils have been one of the top teams in the NHL since winning their first Stanley Cup in 1995. Over the last 13 years, the club has been able to ice quality teams with a good mix of talented veterans and quality prospects. The Devils' offense has consisted of quality scorers over the last decade, and the 2008-09 season will be no exception. Zach Parise is fast becoming an offensive force in the NHL and has yet to hit his potential. His superb offensive talent and goal-scoring ability will vital to the success of the Devils in the future. Longtime Devils Brian Gionta and Patrik Elias provide the team with lots of veteran depth, offensive skill, and goal-scoring talent. The Devils brought back a couple of former players over the summer to add depth to their offense. Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik bring the team plenty of offensive and veteran depth. Dainius Zubrus and team captain Jamie Langenbrunner provide lots of offensive experience and goal-scoring depth to the Devils' roster as well. John Madden and Jay Pandolfo bring lots of valuable two-way play to the team, especially on the penalty kill, while Travis Zajac provides the Devils with rising offensive skills, especially on the power play. David Clarkson and Mike Rupp provide the team with lots of grit and toughness on the checking lines, while Rod Pelley and Fedor Fedorov bring decent offensive depth. The Devils have plenty of quality offensive prospects in Nicklas Bergfors, Nick Palmieri, Kevin Cormier, and Petr Vrana, though it's likely these forwards will play most of the 2008-09 season in the minors given the team's talented, veteran depth.
The Devils' defense took a hit last summer with the departure of Brian Rafalski, but their blueline still contains plenty of quality players. Colin White brings lots of toughness and veteran experience to the team's defense, while Paul Martin's offensive skills on the blueline are quickly on the rise. Johnny Oduya is also quickly becoming one of the Devil's top offensive defensemen, while veteran Bryce Salvador brings lots of grittiness and rugged play to the blueline. Sheldon Brookbank also brings lots of toughness to the team, while Andy Greene and Mike Mottau provide plenty of defensive depth. With Vitaly Vishnevski being assigned to Russia to free up salary cap space, the Devils could see a couple of prospects vie for spots on the blueline at training camp. Matthew Corrente and Mark Fraser will look to make the team on their talented defensive play. While the Devils have plenty of physical defensemen on their blueline, the addition of an offensive defenseman could be beneficial to the team, especially on the power play.
Future hall-of-famer Martin Brodeur will likely steal the show once again for the Devils during the 2008-09 season. He has been one of most consistent and talented goaltenders of all time, and seems to get better every season despite his age. Brodeur will likely play nearly every game once again for the Devils this season, who shows no signs of wearing down. Veterans Kevin Weekes and Scott Clemmensen will likely battle for the backup role at training camp, though neither will likely see much play during the 2008-09 season. Prospect Jeff Frazee could challenge both veterans for the backup role at training camp with his fine goaltending skills.
STRENGTHS
- Very deep and talented offense contains a good mixture of veterans and youngsters.
- Plenty of rugged and gritty defensemen.
- Have one of the strongest and most consistent goaltenders in the league.
WEAKNESSES
- Need more offense on defense.
- Team tends to struggle when playoff time arrives.
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