NHL

DEVILS, CAMPBELL TALK

Devil GM Lou Lamoriello has already made an early, sanctioned, start at trying to land a top star in today’s opening of unrestricted free agency, where his team shipwrecked last year.

The Post has learned that Lamoriello took advantage of permission San Jose granted last week to woo defenseman Brian Campbell, widely regarded as the top prize in today’s unrestricted crop.

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“We did have discussions. I’m not sure if Lou is going to make an offer, but we’d be receptive to listening,” agent Larry Kelly said.

The Devils lost Scott Gomez, Brian Rafalski and Brad Lukowich to free agency a year ago. Unless they agree to new deals by noon, Devils Bryce Salvador, Jay Pandolfo and Sergei Brylin will be free to sign elsewhere today.

Landing Campbell is a longshot, although not as prohibitive as the odds against signing Marian Hossa.

If Lamoriello doesn’t sign Salvador (“a distinct possibility,” agent Carlos Sosa said last night), ex-Devil Mike Commodore is his likely target.

In addition to a puck-moving defenseman such as Campbell, the Devils need a No. 1 center. Ex-Devil Brendan Morrison is a top possibility, and though he left New Jersey on less-than-happy terms, would consider a return.

More likely, however, would be Blackhawk and former Red Wing Jason Williams, 27, coming back from a hernia-addled season. Montreal might chase ex-Devil Bobby Holik.

“You have to make sure you don’t make mistakes at free agency,” said Lamoriello, who has $18 million in cap space available, although deals of $3 million for Salvador, $1.5 million each for Pandolfo and Brylin, $2 million for David Clarkson and another $1 million for others would halve that space.

“Right now, we’re at a good [cap] point. This is a good hockey team right now. We just have to get better. We had some players underachieve.”

mark.everson@nypost.com