New Jersey Devils 2009 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

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New Jersey Devils 2008-’09 record:
51-27-4, 106 points (1st in Atlantic, 4th in East)

New Jersey Devils 2008-’09 playoffs:
Lost to Carolina Hurricanes 4-3

The Devils had a surprisingly good season last year, winning the Atlantic Division crown despite losing Brodeur for the first extended stretch of his career. Thanks to a breakout season from forward Zach Parise, the Devils scored plenty of goals and moved a little bit away from their lockdown identity and managed to finish the season with a strong 51-27-4 record. Unfortunately for the Devils, they ran into a hot goalie in the first round and were eliminated after shockingly allowing two goals in the final minute of game seven at the hands of the Hurricanes. Devils fans everywhere went from the prospect of advancing in the playoffs to crying in their hands in a matter of minutes.

New Jersey Devils 2009 Preview

New Jersey Devils General manager: Lou Lamoriello (873-581-228, 21st NHL year, 1st team)

New Jersey Devils Coach: Jacques Lemaire (540-414-177, 16th NHL season, 3rd team)

New Jersey Devils Captain: Jamie Langenbrunner

New Jersey Devils Top Returning Scorer: LW Zach Parise (45 goals, 49 assists, 94 points)

New Jersey Devils Top Returning Goalie: Martin Brodeur (19-9-3, 2.41, .916)

New Jersey Devils Key Additions: G Yann Danis; D Cory Murphy; D Rob Davison.

New Jersey Devils Key Subtractions: G Scott Clemmensen; C John Madden; RW Brian Gionta; C Mike Rupp; C Bobby Holik; RW Barry Tallackson; D Niclas Havelid; G Kevin Weekes.

New Jersey Devils Top Line: LW Zach Parise, C Travis Zajac; RW Jamie Langenbrunner.

New Jersey Devils Top Defensive Pairing: Johnny Oduya, Paul Martin.

The Devils have two superstars that highlight their offense: Parise and captain Patrick Elias. After combining for 76 goals last year, they’re one of the league’s best duos. Behind them, Jamie Langenbrunner, Travis Zajac, Dainus Zubrus and Brian Rolston should produce plenty of points and there is still enough talent on hand for three strong lines. New Jersey is very talented up front but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if their production takes a step back in Lemaire’s controlled defensive system, which infuriated superstar Marian Gaborik in Minnesota. Will it reel in the talents of Parise and Elias as well?

Defensively, the Devils are very solid. Paul Martin is the powerplay quarterback and David Oduya is extremely underrated. Meanwhile, their other defenders are extremely solid defensively as Colin White, Mike Mottau and Bryce Salvador should thrive under Lemaire. Keep an eye on Murphy as well as he showed some offensive talent in limited time last season.

But the real star of this team is Brodeur. After his elbow injury, people have begun to question his ability to carry the Devils with 65 or more games of solid production. Perhaps even worse in his eyes is the perception that Roberto Luongo has passed him on Team Canada’s pecking order at the Olympics. Expect the intense Brodeur to come back with a vengeance this year and return to his typically elite standards.

2009 New Jersey Devils Goaltending:

A torn bicep muscle cost Brodeur, who became the NHL’s winningest goalie last season, 50 games and left him three shutouts shy of Terry Sawchuk (103) to become the league’s career leader. Injury ended his 10-season streak of 70 or more games. Like a chameleon, has adapted his game constantly over his career to maintain his excellence. Brilliant puckhandler who eschews the big, bulky gear popular with most netminders.

2009 New Jersey Devils Player To Watch:

RW Niklas Bergfors. Former first-round draft pick looked to have finally figured things out during an eight-game audition with the Devils last season. Offensively-skilled forward makes up for his lack of size through his competitive nature. Elusive on skates and armed with a deadly shot.

2009 New Jersey Devils Offense:

Zach Parise had a breakout year last season, posting career highs in goals, assists, 94 and 14 power-play goals. He even netted 14 winning goals as the Devils overcame the loss of Brodeur for 50 games and won the Atlantic Division. New Jersey will have to shake off the crushing Game 7 loss to Carolina in which the Devils allowed the tying and winning goals to be scored in the final 80 seconds.

New Jersey Devils 2009 Season Predictions

While the rest of the NHL moves away from obstruction, the Devils went back to the future by returning the team to Lemaire, who guided them to the 1995 Stanley Cup. It wasn’t working for him in Minnesota, so should be expect it to work again in New Jersey?

We predict that the New Jersey Devils will finish 3rd in the NHL Atlantic, 5th seed in East: 95 points.

New Jersey Devils Betting

New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup Odds: +3000
New Jersey Devils Eastern Conference Odds: +1300
New Jersey Devils Atlantic Odds: +600

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