MOP's 2005-06 NHL preview stops in New Jersey for day two of our look at the league's thirty teams.  Well, actually, it's very early in day three right now.  Sorry.  Late class, plus we got our satellite dish installed today.   Television, glorious television, it's as  bad as I remember it, maybe even worse.   And yet, I just can't stop watching...

Anyway, keep in mind that, so long as I don't end up mindlessly sitting in front of the tube for the next two weeks, that these previews will appear, two a day, until the season starts on October 5th.  They will be put on-site by division, roughly in order of predicted finish.  Note that the rookies listed are only those most likely to make the team, not necessarily ones who have already sewn up a spot, and surprises always occur in training camp.  The In/Out portion represents significant players added and lost since the end of the 2003-04 season.  And now, on with the show...

In: Darren Langdon, Krzysztof Oliwa, Vladimir Malakhov, Richard Matvichuk, Dan McGillis, Alex Mogilny

Out: Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Jan Hrdina, Igor Larionov, Turner Stevenson, Tommy Albelin

Rookies: Zach Parise, Alexander Suglobov, Ari Ahonen

It's a whole new/old look for the New Jersey Devils this year, who will have to deal with the departure of captain Stevens and long-time Devil Niedermayer, former coach Larry Robinson taking over from cancer-stricken coach Pat Burns (get well soon, Pat), and the loss of offensive dynamo Patrik Elias for the first few months of the season, though with the re-acquisition of former Devils Oliwa, Malakhov and Mogilny.  Not only that, but with new rules designed to increase offence, one has to wonder if the Devils, always famed for their defence-first system, will be able to adapt.

Strengths: 1. With Martin Brodeur, goaltending is always a strength in New Jersey.  Brodeur is the best puck-handling goalie in the league, a huge clutch performer, routinely makes over 70 starts a season, and despite being a lock as a future hall of fame member, is still only 33.  Best of all, Brodeur's equipment will likely not change at all under the league's new size rules, as his pads were always undersized compared to some.  That said, he may have some trouble adjusting to the league's new rules for goaltender's handling the puck, but his technique remains sound and he is a lock to be the number one goaltender for Canada in the 2006 Olympics as well.

2. Presuming that the new rules do force teams to open things up and play more offence, the Devils' forward corps is quite well-prepared to do so.  Even without Elias, one of the league's most creative wingers, for what will likely be the first few months of the season after he contracted Hepatitis A in Russia, the Devils have a nice collection of skill and speed among their top forwards.  Scott Gomez has proven himself one of the league's best setup men, Mogilny may be 36 but remains a top-line forward if his health holds up, Brian Gionta, John Madden, Jeff Friesen and Jamie Langenbrunner provide a lot of speed, Sergei Brylin and Viktor Kozlov are talented, versatile performers, and rookies Parise and Suglobov could add even more talent to the group.

Weaknesses: 1. While general manager Lou Lamoriello did a nice job getting what he could after losing Niedermayer to free agency and Stevens to retirement, it won't be easy to move on.  Stevens and Niedermayer were a huge part of this franchise and it's success for the last dozen years, and while Malakhov, Matvichuk and McGillis are all fine defensemen (though perhaps a little past their prime), none are the calibre of either Stevens or Niedermayer in terms of either talent or character.  Returning veterans Brian Rafalski, Colin White, and Sean Brown can all play bigger roles, as can sophomore defenders Paul Martin and David Hale, but defence just won't be the same in New Jersey, and neither will the dressing room without these two leaders.

2. As of this writing, the Devils are a good $4 million over the NHL's current salary cap, and still don't have Hale or Martin under contract.  This leaves Lamoriello in the unenviable position of having to shed some $4 million in salary, likely from the forward corps, in a seller's market.  Not only that, but since he'll essentially be dealing guys straight off what would be his opening night roster, he's likely going to need a warm body in return to fill out the lineup, plus space to sign the aforementioned young defenders.  Likely candidates to be moved are Kozlov, Friesen, and possibly long-time Devils White or Brylin.  Those four combined make over $7 million, and Lamoriello may have to deal all of them in order to get far enough under the cap to leave some wiggling room in case he needs a player late in the season.  With Elias starting the season on the disabled list insurance on his contract may help ease the pressure somewhat, but as of right now the Devils are one of the few teams really not in a good position in terms of the new cap.

Don't be Surprised If: Brodeur wears down a bit and the Devils have to get a veteran backup.  Brodeur likes to play a lot; his backups in 2003-04, Scott Clemmensen and Corey Schwab, played in a total of seven games behind him.  But that was before, and with the game supposedly opening up, and the larger problem of the loss of Stevens and Niedermayer, Brodeur is likely going to face far more shots this season than he has in seasons past.  Add in the fact that he'll be playing most or all of Canada's games at the Olympics and there's only one conclusion: the Devils are going to have to give Brodeur more nights off than they have in the past, or else he's going to be drained by the time the playoffs roll around.

Outlook: It's transition time in New Jersey.  With Stevens and Niedermayer out and a number of veterans in the twilight of their careers dotting the roster, the Devils are due for a major overhaul sometime in the near future.  With Brodeur in goal and some solid performers at all positions anything can happen; it's conceivable this team could contend for a Cup, but at this point it looks like it may have to settle simply for a playoff spot.

Centres: 1. Scott Gomez  2. John Madden  3. Zach Parise  4. Erik Rasmussen  5. Pascal Rheaume

Wingers: 1. Patrick Elias  2. Alexander Mogilny  3. Jamie Langenbrunner  4. Viktor Kozlov  4. Brian Gionta  5. Jeff Friesen  6. Sergei Brylin  7. Jay Pandolfo  8. Grant Marshall  9. Alexander Suglobov  10. Darren Langdon  11. Krzysztof Oliwa

Defensemen: 1. Brian Rafalski  2. Vladimir Malakhov  3. Dan McGillis  4. Colin White  5. Richard Matvichuk  6. Sean Brown

Goalies: 1. Martin Brodeur 2. Scott Clemmensen

Restricted Free Agents: David Hale (D), Paul Martin (D)