New Jersey Devils season preview

After an off season filled with arbitrators,NHL sanctions and miscellaneous issues,the New Jersey Devils drop the puck against Dallas in the first of a three game four day run to start the 2010-11 season.
The Devils made a few moves,but none more important than the long term signing of Ilya Kovalchuk as the franchise's first true superstar forward (Zach Parise could join him soon).

The Devils look to be setting themselves up for a super scoring line with Parise and Kovalchuk being centered by Travis Zajac.Kovalchuk would move to the right wing for the first time in his career on that line.
I am not sure on how long that line will stay together in order to keep the lines balanced,but it should be at least an option as the season goes on.
That line might be the highest scoring line in the league,assuming that Kovalchuk can make a smooth transition to the right wing.

The second line features the return of former Devils hero Jason Arnott,who was obtained from Nashville.Arnott plugs right in with former linemate Patrik Elias and captain Jamie Langenbrunner on a line that might be the top one for most teams.
All three are in their mid-thirties now though and none had a great season last year,so there are some questions,but the line has the potential to be a high scoring one as well...

The third line has the ability to be interesting as well.
Two of the players on this line have been rumored to possibly be the salary cap casualties from the Kovalchuk signing in Dainius Zubrus and Brian Rolston.
The pair will be working with David Clarkson,who looks to be ready to bust open as a twenty goal scorer.Zubrus and Rolston both are high salary players that might eventually have to be moved,but should be productive while in red and black.

Rod Pelley will be the checking line center and Pierre-Luc LeBlond joins him as the enforcer.
Adam Henrique will start the season with the team,although he shouldn't remain there long as it appears the Devils are biding time to find a way to sign Adam Mair to the roster.

The defensive corps has changed a bit with Paul Martin moving to Pittsburgh as a free agent and the Devils signing two free agents as well.
Anton Volchenkov brings his hard hitting style from Ottawa and gives the Devils the type of punishing hitter that Devils fans haven't seen since Scott Stevens.
Volchenov will be paired with Mark Fraser for now.
Henrik Tallinder was signed from Buffalo as a mentor of sorts to younger defensemen after his reported excellent job in breaking in Tyler Myers of the Sabres.Tallinder was expected to be paired with 19 year old Swede Alexander Urbom,but will start the season with Andy Greene.
Greene had his breakout season last year in which he moved from the 7th d-man to arguably the team top blueliner.Greene will be expected to duplicate those numbers and hopefully increase them on the power play to help replace Martin.
Veteran Colin White is assigned to the final grouping with the rookie Urbom in what looks to be a balanced pair,but could be an erratic one depending on Urbom's adjustments to the NHL game.

Martin Brodeur returns in net as the starter,but may finally get a drop in games played.I know that we hear that every year,but the Devils did make a larger than usual investment in a backup for Brodeur in Johan Hedberg.
Hedberg finally gives the team a goalie that could play 20 or so games and not feel like they are throwing the two points away in playing him.

Bryce Salvador is on the long term injury list with concussion issues and when he is ready to return,the team will need to make those long awaited roster moves to reach the salary cap line.
I am excited about this team and barring a move that would cost the team a huge contributor,I see this team as a Cup contender this season.
I think they finish no worse than second in the Atlantic Division and no worse than fifth in the Eastern Conference.
Exceeding both of those are extremely possible as well.
Let's Go Devils!!!!