NEW JERSEY DEVILS 2009-2010 PREVIEW

A minute twenty. That’s how far the Devils came close to possibly changing the Eastern Conference playoffs. A match-up against Bruce Boodrou’s boys in DC, while Boston and Pittsburgh would have been at war. All that changed in a minute twenty.

Carolina’s Jussi Jokenin’s game tying goal was a punch to the gut, while Eric Cole’s game winner was a stab in the heart for every Devils fans. The Hurricanes would go on to upset #1 Boston in the 2^nd round, until running out of gas against the Penguins. A game 7, April 28^th, which was the most viewed and listened Devils broadcast in the team’s history, which saw the Devils Legion rock the red at The Prudential Center all year…and then having the environment hastily change from a roaring scene of excitement, hushed away by shock, sadness and frustration. The only way to describe it: A big letdown.

It’s hard to repeat the type of season the Devils produced last year. The 2008-2009 New Jersey Devils was possibly one of the best teams in franchise history. Milestones, like Brian Roloston’s 1000^th point, Patrick Elias becoming the Devils all-time leading scorer, on the same night that Martin Brodeur would become the all-time winningest goaltender in NHL history (and on St. Patrick’s Day). Notable moments occurred, like Brodeur going down for most of the season, only to see Scott Clemenson step up and Kevin Weekes hold the fort, the emergence of the ZZPOP line (Jamie Langenbrunner, Travis Zajac, Zach Parise), the return of Brendan Shanahan, and a new Jersey team that could score a lot of goals. The 08-09 season also showcased rising stars for the team, like Johnny Oduya and Paul Martin on the blue line, Travis Zajac emerging as a top 2 center, and obviously the amazingness of Zach Parise.

All that…and only another Atlantic Division title…GM Lou Lamarillo could Ebay these off at this point: he only cares about one thing: the Stanley Cup.

Now entering the 5^th season after the lock-out, and with his team only going as far as the 2^nd round since their last cup in 2003, Lamarillo has decided that its time to change it up.

One of the first changes in the off-season was the exit of coach Brent Sutter, who still had one year left on his contract. He missed his ranch, family, and Red Deer team back in Western Canada. It was also revealed later that Mrs. Sutter discovered early traces of breast cancer, but received treatment and is fine.

However, that did not come out until after Brent jumped shifts. Brent left the Devils, and only shortly after, joined his brother Darryl's team, the Flames, as the new head coach. (WHAT A TWIST!)

So what did Lamarillo do about a new head coach?

Last year, the Devils used a time machine and brought back former forwards Brian Roloston and Bobby Holik. Unfortunately, the big man retired after the season and the big shooter was never fully comfortable after a high ankle sprain early on.

Now Uncle Lou decided to turn the machine on one more time, and hired the man who the team won its first cup with at the helm, Jacques Lemaire!

Since his departure in 1998, the Devils have had NINE coaching changes (some coaches more than once). Now are not due to bad coaching, but unfortunate situations (Burns health problems, Robinson didn't wanna be head coach anymore, Lou is the GM and can't do both)

Obviously the first thing people think when they see Lemaire as coach: ITS A TRAP! The boring defensive styles of the old days, where a 1-0 win made you turn to Madlock faster than a Chara slapshot.

That's not the case this year.

As Lemaire has said, he will keep what made the Devils successful last year, Sutter's system. Obviously there's tweaks and niches to fix, but the new coach even has said the team will be more offensive than last year.

One of the biggest stories this year is that Uncle Lou is now giiving the youth their shot to make the team. While it is sad to see the vets of John Madden, Brian Gionta, and even Mike Rupp leave, the same was said in 2000 when Bob Carpenter, Doug Gilmour and Randy McKay left. The tourch must be passed to the next generation of the team.

Players like Patrice Cormier, Matt Corrente, Nicklas Bergfors, Jeff Frazee, Vladimir Zharkov, Nick Palmieri and others will get their chance at the big times.

I expect Bergfors to make the team and join Elias's line, and Rod Pelly will replace John Madden. Summer additions of Cory Murphy and Ilkka Pikkarainen will have a good chance at making the roster, but I hope to see Cormier cracks the roster, as well as Corrente. Frazee and Dannis should trade back up spots to give Brodeur rest.

The biggest questions facing the Devils:

1) Can this year's team make the proper adjustments to make the playoffs?

2) Will the youth players that make the roster have a meaningful impact?

3) How many games will Martin Brodeur play?

4) Can Zach Parise and Travis Zajac repeat last years performance of offensive success?

5) Who will fill the hole at center left by John Madden?

6) Will the Devils blueline step it up this season?

I do not expect the Devils to be a cup contender this season, as it is a re-tooling year to prepare for the future. That said, the Devils are still the Devils. Jersey will be a competative team this year, and I expect them to make the playoffs between the 4th-6th position. Less the Devils need to step into that time machine and go as far back as the 1989's to get back Ken Danyko and an early Shanahan.