Devils Training Camp Opens

Well, after one of the most bizarre offseason's in NHL history, it is now time to shift to the focus of just preparing for the upcoming season. Ilya Kovalchuk arrived at "The Rock" for his physical along with every other Devils veteran. Kovalchuk said, he's 100% ready to play and put the whole Saga behind him. He also mentioned that the Devils were his only NHL choice ever since the 17 year deal was rejected otherwise he would have signed with the KHL.

New Devils Henrik Tallinder, Anton Volchenkov and Johan Hedberg were also there gearing up with excitement for the upcoming season. Also, the Devils invited former Sabres Center Adam Mair on a tryout basis, so he joins Marcus Nilson for that role. Mair tallied 6 goals and 8 assists in 69 games for the Sabres in the 2009-2010 season and was involved in the trade which sent former Devil Erik Rasmussen to the LA Kings. Rasmussen would sign with Devils after playing for the Kings. Mair has huge physical upside and could be a good quality role player for the Devils if he makes the team and every indication is that both Mair and Nilson will end making the team especially with all the possible cap casualties the Devils will have in the coming weeks as a result of the Kovalchuk saga. The favorites to be traded are still Brian Rolston, Dainius Zubrus, Colin White, Bryce Salvador and Jamie Langenbrunner with Patrik Elias and Travis Zajac being possible long shots.

Today was only the physicals and some on ice informal skating. The Devils veterans along with the rookies will hit the ice for a their first training camp session tomorrow at 9 AM at Prudential Center. The team will be split into two groups for both morning and afternoon sessions and one of the groups is expected to play against the Flyers on Tuesday in the first pre-season game. Its very likely the first training camp cuts will be made by the end of next week, which will include assigning players to the minors and sending some prospects back to college and junior. Prospects Mattias Tedenby, Jacob Josefson, Adam Henrique and Alexander Urbom are all expected to make strong cases for roster spots.

As I said the lines could look like this if new coach John MacLean intends to use Parise, Elias and Kovalchuk on three different lines:

Parise Zajac Langenbrunner
Elias Arnott Clarkson
Kovalchuk Josefson Tedenby
Pelley Mair Nilson
Extras: Henrique, Leblond

Notes: If Nilson and Mair make the team, its likely we will see Lou trade both Rolston and Zubrus along with either White or Salvador. This would be very beneficial to the team with their salary cap as the asking price could be a first round pick in return in the future and will make the decision in which year to forfeit the pick a lot easier. It would also give them flexibility to try to lock up Parise long-term.