Despite the defections, the Devils defy their detractors.
“We’re going to surprise a lot of people,” incumbent captain Patrik Elias predicted after the team reported for physicals yesterday and first practices today. “I’m optimistic about this season.”
“We’re going to be a lot better than people think we’ll be,” said Zach Parise, one of those on whom that will depend.
The Devils lost top center Scott Gomez and top defenseman Brian Rafalski, along with Brad Lukowich, to free agency, signing Dainius Zubrus up front and Karel Rachunek and Vitaly Vishnevski on defense. The additions don’t seem to equal the subtractions, but the defending Atlantic Division champs have long defied math.
They even expect their coach, Brent Sutter, to finish the season for the first time since the lockout.
“We need to get stability there,” Martin Brodeur said. “We always were a stable team in that area, and it’s been a little up-and-down the last few years, and hopefully that’s over. The coaching staff doesn’t get better than what we have right now.
“I’m excited. What I heard is [Sutter] was the best guy available. I don’t think anybody thought we’d get him, after what happened last year [Claude Julien’s firing].”
The Devils return after being ousted in the second round by Ottawa, a second straight second-round exit with Lou Lamoriello behind the bench. Brodeur is 35 and has shown chinks in his game the past few playoffs. They’ll need their recruits to shine, and Parise, Travis Zajac, Paul Martin and Andy Greene to fulfill their promise now.
“You had guys like Rafalski and Gomez playing in every single No. 1 situation, and now you’re moving up guys who were playing second fiddle,” Brodeur said. “Are they going to do it? It still remains to be seen, but at least they’ll have the opportunity they didn’t have.”
They have little choice but to believe it can happen again. Right now, there is no Plan B.
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Sutter arrived Wednesday night from coaching Canada’s juniors against Russia. “Twenty-one days, 13 flights and 14 time zones. It was pretty remarkable,” Sutter said. He indicated he’ll keep most of his veterans together to open camp, and work the prospects into the group.
Devils face Flyers in Trenton to open preseason slate Monday . . . Former assistant coach Jacques Laperriere will perform special assignments for the Devils, and the Hall of Fame Montreal defenseman is in camp.