While the Devils are still not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for this season, it is safe to say they will be sometime in February. I figure it is now time to get a small sneak into what might happen with the Devils in Summer 2011 and into next season.
Who will be the Devils coach in 2011-2012
There is a possibility Jacques Lemaire coaches the Devils again next season, but for now he is the interim coach for the remainder of the year and plans to go back into retirement after the season is over. If that is the case, Lou Lamoriello as I have mentioned will not rush his coaching search and will conduct an extreme and thorough search which could last weeks and months. There are those obvious candidates like Ken Hitchcock, Andy Murray, Bob Hartley, Mike Keenan, Michel Therrien. A dark horse candidate could be Senators GM Bryan Murray, who could show interest in returning to the coaching ranks and is good friends with Lamoriello. Murray coached Ottawa from 2005-2008 and was once the Anaheim Ducks GM, but returned to the coaching ranks in Ottawa before replacing John Muckler as GM in Summer 2007. Canadiens assistant and former Devil Kirk Muller, Blackhawks assistant Mike Haviland, Blue Jackets assistant Bob Boughner and Detroit assistants Paul MacLean and Brad McCrimmon could also get looks.
Will the Devils sign Parise to a long term extension?
Zach Parise is slated to become a Restricted Free Agent in Summer 2011 and an unrestricted Free Agent in Summer 2012. If he goes to arbitration, he will ask for a one-year-deal with lots of money. Once, he gets arbitration and does not sign an extension with the Devils, he is all but certain to leave them in 2012. Arbitration usually destroys the relationship between a GM, player and his representatives. Parise will be priority number 1 and 1A this summer for the Devils, even before the coach. Look for contract talks to pick up sometime in May. I believe the Devils resign him this summer to a long-term deal most likely upwards of 8-11 years, no salary will be mentioned. Although, the Devils missing the playoffs this year might affect Parise's chances to resign, but I believe he is the Devils future captain and is their face, not Kovalchuk.
Who do the Devils bring back or get rid of?
This is a debatable issue, but the Devils should not bring back captain Jamie Langenbrunner, he has not been the great leader and ever since he became the captain, his play has dropped. Andy Greene is 50-50, but he has regressed this year and right now is not a top 4 D-Men. He might not be a huge loss for the Devils. Jason Arnott is also 50-50, but I would not bring him back and try to develop Jacob Josefson into a second line center. If Brian Rolston stays with the Devils til the end of the year, I would try to trade him in the Summer since it might still be difficult to do so, but not as hard as now since his contract expires in 2012. Johan Hedberg and Adam Mair should not be brought back. The Devils need a goaltender capable of possibly replacing Marty in Brodeur continues to struggle or even decides to retire after this season. It is safe to say Marty's glory days are done and that maybe its time to sign, draft or trade for a goaltender that can pick up Brodeur's slack. Rod Pelley should also go or play in Albany next year as he has definitely regressed as well. David Clarkson should be given a chance to bounce back, but a lot will depend on his conditioning over the Summer. If he is out of shape, there is a good chance he might be a healthy scratch some games next year. The Devils should attempt to trade Colin White and Bring back Bryce Salvador. Matt Corrente, Mark Fraser, Anssi Salmela should all go or play in the minors. I would not mind Salmela as the 7th defenseman, but I think the role would be best suited for Alexander Urbom. Jon Merrill is likely going to stay in Michigan for one or two more years.
The Devils might end up having a Summer similar to the one the Montreal Canadiens had in 2009, where they got rid of almost everyone from their tumultuous 2008-2009 team which made the playoffs barely, but were swept in Round 1 by division rival Boston Bruins. The Canadiens that year had similar expectations to what the Devils had this year. But, at least they were able to fight through some adversity unlike the Devils, who cannot seem to get over it and the adversity deepens game after game.
How active will the Devils be in Free Agency?
Usually a non-playoff team would be very aggressive in Free Agency. However, in odd numbered Summer years Lou Lamoriello has usually stood pat and done nothing. This might be different this time around. With the Salary Cap rumored to rise another $2-3 million of sorts, the Devils might be a little bit more active than most people think. I see them trying to trade disgruntled veterans. The Devils should absolutely target Tomas Kaberle and Patrik Elias could be an intricate part of trying to lure him to New Jersey for the right price and if the salary cap would allow it. Again, Parise is priority number one. The emphasis this Summer is to try to get mobile puck moving defensemen who could occupy the point on the power plays and play a quick transition game. I believe the offense is fine itself, its just all about conditioning for them. Now, the Devils are on track for the number one overall pick, so they should likely select center Sean Couturier of the QMJHL.
What is the Devils projected line-up (with Kaberle):
Forwards:
Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, Dainius Zubrus
Ilya Kovalchuk, Sean Couturier, David Clarkson
Patrik Elias, Jacob Josefson, Mattias Tedenby
Alexander Vasyunov, Adam Henrique, Vladimir Zharkov
Extras; Nick Palmieri, Patrick Davis
Defense:
Chris Phillips, Anton Volchenkov
Henrik Tallinder, Tomas Kaberle
Bryce Salvador Andy Greene
Extras: Alexander Urbom, Eric Gelinas
Notes: It is probably not going to be the case, but this is a young line-up with not much to expect, but it can gel and click together. I think the Devils should make an attempt to reunite Volchenkov and Phillips.
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