The Devils will spend this season trying to replace the irreplaceable.
That’s because their best player, Ilya Kovalchuk, up and retired this summer, leaving $77 million and 12 years remaining on his contract on the table as he retreated to play in his native Russia-based KHL. It was an absolute shock to the Devils franchise and to the hockey world, and their run to Stanley Cup Final two seasons ago couldn’t seem like more of a distant memory.
More imminent for general manager Lou Lamoriello was the fact his team was coming of a disappointing season without postseason hockey, and he already had holes to fill. As could be expected, Lamoriello did not sit on his hands, bringing in free-agent forwards Ryane Clowe, Michael Ryder and Rostislav Olesz, along with veteran Jaromir Jagr. Late in training camp, former Red Wing Damien Brunner was given a tryout, and his skill earned him a two-year deal and gave the Devils some semblance of offensive depth.
The other huge change Lamoriello made was bringing in a successor for future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur. On draft day, he traded the ninth overall pick to the Canucks for Cory Schneider, who then went out during preseason and gave up a total of one goal (on a 6-on-4 power play) in 80 shots. With the 41-year-old Brodeur likely playing the final season of his career, it will be on coach Pete DeBoer to find a way to mix and match his two solid netminders without ruffling feathers.
OFFENSE
Although the Devils will not have that top-end talent up front as they did with Kovalchuk, they now are deeper than they had been in years past. They’re solid up the middle with veterans Travis Zajac and Patrik Elias (if he plays in the middle), supplemented with former Calder Trophy finalist Adam Henrique — who signed his restricted free-agent contract just in time for camp.
New additions Clowe, Ryder and Olesz should all get top-nine minutes, and will have the chance to produce some much-needed points. How much is left in the tank for one of the all-time greats in Jagr is completely unknown, and the best hope is he won’t need his legs to help boost what has been a subpar power play.
Most of the forwards play at both ends of the ice, so the team’s best chance to win might come in keeping games close.
DEFENSE
After getting rid of Henrik Tallinder and his bulky contract in an offseason salary-dump trade with the Sabres, the Devils are bringing back a very similar defensive corps. They’re led by captain Bryce Salvador, along with at-home stalwart Andy Greene. The mercurial Marek Zidlicky will end up logging a lot of minutes, as well, and the team hopes he can limit the occasional caught-pinching that often plagues his game.
It’s hard to believe Adam Larsson is still only 20 years old, yet his roster spot never seemed to be in question, and he can add some offensive punch from the blue line. After veteran Anton Volchenkov, depth becomes a serious issue, and one of the younger defensemen starting the year at AHL Albany might end up with the big club for an extended stay.
GOALTENDING
There was not a lot of action for Brodeur this preseason, as he dealt with the death of his father, Denis, on Sept. 26 and ended up playing just 99 minutes while giving up seven goals on 38 shots for an .816 save percentage. How much the 41-year-old has left is in question as he enters the final year of his contract — and likely his career.
The good news for the team is Schneider’s presence, and DeBoer has said more than once: “He has come as advertised. He is a world-class goalie.” With the Devils playing a league-high 22 back-to-back games, Schneider will get his fill of starts — and if he is playing significantly better than Brodeur, DeBoer will have a tough decision on his hands.
COACHING
It must be tough for DeBoer to know that his boss, Lamoriello, has already forgotten more about hockey than most coaches will ever know. Yet DeBoer plows on, as focused as ever for what will surely be his toughest task in his third year behind the Devils’ bench.
The good graces from reaching the finals two seasons ago will only travel so far, and if he follows up last season’s playoff-less spring with another, rest assured he will feel some heat under his seat.
KEYS TO THE SEASON
Most important offensive player: Elias. Elias hasn’t scored 30 or more goals in a season since 2008-09, and at 37 years old could be the team’s offensive leader.
Most important defensive player: Larsson. The 20-year-old could be a liability or an asset on the back end, and the latter would bode well for the team’s future.
Top rookie: With no true rookie on the opening-day roster, it will be Henrique trying to get over his sophomore slump and regain the level of play that made him a Calder Trophy finalist two seasons ago.
Key coaching decision: How to split time between Brodeur and Schneider in net. If Schneider plays better, can he take over as the starter?
ROSTER
Left wing: Ryane Clowe, Rostislav Olesz, Dainius Zubrus, Ryan Carter, Patrik Elias (IR; expected to start season opener).
Center: Travis Zajac, Adam Henrique, Stephen Gionta, Andrei Loktionov, Jacob Josefson
Right wing: Damien Brunner, Michael Ryder, Jaromir Jagr, Steve Bernier, Mattias Tedenby (IR)
Defense: Bryce Salvador, Andy Greene, Marek Zidlicky, Anton Volchenkov, Adam Larsson, Mark Fayne, Peter Harrold, Alex Urbom
Goalie: Martin Brodeur, Cory Schneider
PREDICTION
It will be very hard for this new conglomeration of players to fill the void left by Kovalchuk, and it’s doubtful they’ll even be as good as they were last season, when they missed the playoffs by seven points.
If it gets ugly and the postseason is looking bleak, it will be a very touchy situation with Brodeur on what could amount to his own moribund farewell tour.