With his world-wide prospects officially opening their bids for Devils jobs yesterday, coach Brent Sutter denied suggestions he leans toward North American players and away from Europeans.
“That’s nonsense. That’s not true,” Sutter told The Post. “Decisions are made on players. It doesn’t matter where they’re from.
“It has zero to do with it. I look at the team. It doesn’t matter what nationality they are. It’s not true.”
The whispers began when Sutter immediately stripped Patrik Elias of the captaincy last season, and grew louder when Karel Rachunek and Vitaly Vishnevski became afterthoughts on a so-so defense.
When Sergei Brylin left the team after 13 years to play in Russia, he suggested that the way he was used by Sutter was part of the reason for his departure.
Besides Elias, the Devils have Dainius Zubrus and Johnny Oduya as returning Europeans, while Bobby Holik was a summer signing, and Nicklas Bergfors, Petr Vrana, Fedor Fedorov and Anssi Salmela have legitimate shots at making the team.
Rookies began workouts yesterday in Newark, with the veterans reporting Friday for physicals and first practices Saturday, before opening the exhibition slate Monday in Philadelphia.
There probably are only six roster spots open for the likes of D Andy Greene, D Sheldon Brookbank, C Rod Pelley, C Mike Rupp, RW Bergfors, RW Barry Tallackson, C Petr Vrana, D David Clarkson, LW Fedorov, D Matt Corrente and D Salmela, and whoever surprises the brass.