As the days of summer continue to drag on, it appears the Devils have made the majority of their player movements and transactions. While the management continues to say that they are still looking to acquire a much needed defenseman, it looks as if they are taking their time.
Essentially, it looks as if Lou wants to see what the team he has now is capable of. So let’s take a look at the Devils current Depth.
Left Wing Center Right Wing
P. Elias B. Rolston B. Gionta
Z. Parise T. Zajac J. Langenbrunner
J. Pandolfo J. Madden D. Zubrus
M. Rupp B. Holik D. Clarkson
Forward Depth
R. Pelley (C), N. Bergfors (RW), F. Federov (please stay in Lowell) , B. Tallackson (RW), and P. Vrana (LW)
Defense
P. Martin J. Oduya
B. Salvador C. White
M. Mottau A. Greene
Defense Depth
S. Brookbank, M. Fraser, M. Corrente, T. Eckford
Goaltending
M. Brodeur
K. Weekes
Goaltending Depth
S. Clemmenson
J. Frazee
As you can see, the Devils have manged to take what worked from last season, and only make minor adjustments. Bringing in Rolston helps on the first line because his shot is what a player like Gionta needs. Theoretically, a playmaker like Elias can feed to him, and Gionta picks up the rebound. Theoretically of course.
The 2nd line goes back to where it had it’s best chemistry (PZL, “pretzel line”), and hopefully Zajac will put his “mediocre” sophmore season, and blossom into the center the Devils need him to be.
The 3rd line remains the Rock of the team. Madden, Pandolfo, and Zubrus have proven themselves to be highly effective in the checking, and even scoring roles. Consistency is key with this group, and their track record is fairly good in this regard. Hell, before Jay got injured in the game against Dallas, this line (sans Zubrus if my memory is correct) had some of the best production in this last season, hell to my knowledge, the best ever!
With the injection of Holik on the 4th line, along with youth like David Clarkson, and our good ol’ boy Michael Rupp, this line can provide physicality, as well as some short term checking capacity. Hell, the Devils can finally roll 4 legit lines and cover all their bases.
On Defense, the Devils have mainstays in Martin, Oduya, White, and Salvador. The last two spots become very iffy. Mike Mottau, a Rangers reject, proved himself quite well in the Devils red last season, and has earned the chance to play in the starting lineup again. Greene however… with guys like Matt Corrente bucking for a spot in the lineup… he may have to earn his spot in the lineup.
My view on the D-situation is that we have some expendable assets. I would like to see Corrente make the lineup, and the only way for him to achieve that is by playing better than Mottau and Greene in camp. But if he can do it, then more power to him. His development is far more important than the career of Mike Mottau. You don’t let players like Corrente rot in developmental hell if they prove to be ready right now.
As for Fedor Federov… I for one feel he has no place on this team. There just isn’t any room… But! 4th line in place of Rupp is a possibility… a slight one.
All in all, the Devils are fairly stacked. Their depth is not an issue… but the quality of their primary talent is still in doubt. Especially on D. Hence the rumours that Lou may still be looking for a D-man to put the team over the top.
But the way things are… it may be best to wait and see how things proceed. With Marty in net, a mediocre D-corps becomes above-average when stopping goals against… but getting them to help with the transitional game (going from being on D to the attack) is where their weakness may be. A good outlet pass or blue-line puck carrier is highly valuable. And the loss of Scott Gomez highlighted that weakness immensly (cuz he used to just do the work himself).
Are the Devils a cup contender? In my opinion… no. Not yet. But they are going to be as good or better than last year.
