When a Devils center is scoring a point-per-game, even a rookie, the incumbent doesn’t just get back his top spot automatically. Adam Henrique is making a case for rookie-of-the-year votes, and his candidacy depends on remaining on the first line.
So Travis Zajac, five games returned from Aug. 18 Achilles tendon surgery, must bide his time. Henrique, 21, continues to look like he belongs between Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk.
Henrique is tied with Kovalchuk for third in team scoring with 27 points in 32 games, behind Patrik Elias’ 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) and Parise’s 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists).
During the Devils’ 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes on Monday in Raleigh, coach Pete DeBoer inserted Zajac between Parise and Kovalchuk. But yesterday in practice, Henrique was back between the star wingers, and he’s expected to play there tonight when Buffalo visits Newark.
“I don’t think it’s any secret that he’s still working to find his game,” DeBoer said of Zajac. “Look how long it took Zach to [get into] his stride. It’s going to be a process.”
While Zajac is working to regain his form, Henrique continues to make his case, not only to remain with the team, but to be its top center, and even figure in the Rookie-of-the-Year voting.
It’s quite a turn for the center who went to Albany after the first two games of the season, only to return after three games, when Jacob Josefson broke his collarbone.
“It was quick. When I went down and came back, something just clicked,” Henrique said. “Things started coming.
“We’re already [past] Christmas. I’m trying to work hard and do what I do best every night and not look too far ahead.”
Henrique, New Jersey’s third-round pick in 2008, has seven points (four goals and three assists) in seven games and has 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in his last 26 games, a high-level of consistency for a rookie.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Henrique said. “My goal was to make the team and prove I could play here. I never thought I’d get to play with Zach and Kovy. ”
* Adam Larsson practiced with the team and is expected to play tonight following return to Sweden over Christmas to attend grandmother’s funeral. … Devils center Ryan Carter escaped disciplinary action for his boarding major against Tuomo Ruutu. … Martin Brodeur is expected to play tonight.