How the Devils deal with that exception will determine just how the shortened season will play out and whether or not the Devils have a chance to defend their title.
The loss of Zach Parise will mean that a team that has never been an offensive juggernaut will have some goals to make up for and not a lot of means to do so.
Ilya Kovalchuk will try to attempt to raise his production,but considering what he scores already,that is likely to be a small raise.
Kovalchuk will be joined by the newly extended contract of Travis Zajac on the first line and having Zajac healthy for the season might help the Devils add a few goals to the total.
The final spot on the line will likely be a work in progress with the Devils giving Dainius Zubrus the first try.
Zubrus has always been a player that inconsistency describes best,but his skills might work nicely with the passing of Zajac and the sniper abilities of Kovalchuk,if he is willing to crash the net....
The remaining lines will shuffle in and out,but I'll do my best to guess how things will work out.
Patrik Elias will be a mainstay of the second line both at center or at left wing,but the Czech veteran will likely see more time at the pivot early on.
David Clarkson would be the most likely choice to pair with Elias,but despite his 30 goals last season and my admiration for his game,Clarkson might have hit his ceiling offensively.
This is likely to be the spot for Adam Henrique upon his return from injured reserve in a few weeks and the team can almost move Henrique and Elias interchangeably between center and the wing.
Jacob Josefson will get his chance to be a mainstay after an injury plagued career.
Josefson will be the third line center,but the remainder of the line will be in flux.e
Stefan Matteau made the team after being the firsr round pick of last years draft.
Matteau can stay five games before a final decision has to be made on a return to junior hockey.
My guess is Matteau will play his five,saving some legs early on and then will be returned.
Bobby Butler was signed from Ottawa and has played well at Albany,but was placed on waivers in order to return to the AHL.
I would guess Butler will return if Matteau leaves.
Defenseman Peter Harrold can occasionally play wing in a pinch.
The fourth line will stay intact after an excellent playoff run.
Ryan Carter will center the line with Steve Bernier and Stephen Gionta on the wings.
The three had excellent chemistry and use the undersized Gionta as a pest that can change the tempo of a game...
The Devils again will carry two enforcers,which seems to be one too many.
Cam Janssen returns ,but Krys Barch replaces Eric Boulton as the other fighter.
No one loves dropping the gloves more than I,but on a team that might struggle to score goals,I do not see the sense in carrying two offensively deficient players.
New Jersey looks to be carrying eight defensemen this season in an attempt to keep the injury and energy factor down with so many games in an compressed period.
I would imagine pairings will be changed often,but if the carry number is eight,I would imagine the eight are pretty clear- four stay at home defenders-new captain Bryce Salvador,Mark Fayne,Anton Volchenkov and four puck movers-Andy Greene,Henrik Tallinder,Adam Larsson and Marek Zidlicky.
The goalies continue to be the veterans as forty plus Martin Brodeur and Johan Hedberg both return between the pipes.
Look for Hedberg to play more often early with the compressed slate than the usual for Brodeur backups as this shortened season with fewer days off will not play into the strengths of Brodeur.
This is a transition year for the Devils,I can see them making the playoffs,I can see them missing them,It really could be that close.
A fast start is a must and regulation wins are at a premium.
I'll be an optimist and count them in,but I would not bet anything on it.....
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