Last summer, the Devils were involved in one of the most ugliest contract battles in league history and for some reason it created a huge distraction for a team trying to prepare for a huge season. Yes, most of the Devils were busy working out and preparing for a season which they and the fans thought would be a year of big opportunity and possibly glory. However, the Kovalchuk contract saga was a distraction for New Jersey and a huge motivating factor for all teams to punish the Devils on the ice. While the players did not admit it as an excuse simply because this is a no excuse league, it definitely showed that it was based on the chemistry's they failed to build and relationships they tried to establish. Zach Parise was hurt for most of the year and missed 69 games, which was mostly the reason that Lou Lamoriello signed him to a one-year-deal to avoid arbitration. I think they will keep him long-term, and Lou will break his rule of no negotiating during the season and lock him up in January 2012.
Most General Managers were unhappy with the Devils and Lou Lamoriello's handling of the saga and it probably ruined his reputation around the league. It was not until Jacques Lemaire came back to replace the fired John MacLean when Lou Lamoriello started to earn some respect back around the NHL. Lamoriello traded team captain Jamie Langenbrunner to the Stars and immediately changed the dynamic on the team. Langenbrunner could have also started the Devils demise when he was out for one game in March 2010 with what the team called rest, but he interpreted it as a healthy scratch. It was shortly after that the Devils started a miracle run, which only put them out of the playoffs by a small margin. Lemaire not only salvaged the season, but he fixed Ilya Kovalchuk, fixed the mindset of the team and he also made the Devils earn back the respect of the league.
Now to this season, Lemaire is once again gone into retirement and this time he won't return for good. The Devils did not hire a coach until July 18th when they named Peter DeBoer as their new coach. Many though the Devils were giving Lemaire time to enjoy the summer and then ask him to return for one more go around. However, it was not the case, Lou actually used his time wisely and carefully and was the last vacancy to fill the position. DeBoer said he plans to stick with what worked late last season, but definitely wants to find new creative ways to find more offense and fix the struggling power play, which has plagued the Devils since 2002. Yes, the Devils power play was actually worst in the NHL when they won the cup in 2003. Now, your power play has to be effective otherwise you will not win games.
So, there are many burning question to answer for the Devils this season.
Will Ilya Kovalchuk return to his 40-50 goal form and how will he co-exist with DeBoer and Parise?
If the Devils are going to rely on Kovalchuk and Parise for offense, they can think about the lottery again for 2012. Simply put the Devils need to get certain players like Elias, Zajac and Clarkson along with Zubrus going again. But that is not the question. I think Kovalchuk will score at least 35 goals this year, but I see him finishing with 43, but I can only base it off his play form the past season. He will definitely have a huge year under DeBoer and I think he can co-exist with Parise and get along with DeBoer. It will depend on his attitude and being able to adjust to being a Devil.
Will Parise stay healthy?
There is no question that Zach Parise was a huge loss for the Devils this past season and it plagued them offensively. The Devils struggled with Parise, but he entered the season with the injury and aggravated it in the end of October. This year I think he will stay healthy and be very effective in his role.
Who will have a breakout year offensively other than the big names?
I think David Clarkson will have a breakout year offensively and having past experiences with Peter DeBoer should help him. He was most excited to know that he was the new coach.
Will Larsson make the team and how effective can he be?
I think Larsson will make the team, but he will play some games in Albany during the middle of the season. He will be effective when he plays, but I think some Albany assignments will help his development.
Will they make the playoffs?
As I mentioned in the previous post, I have them finishing 7th in the East and I think if they make it past round one, the season will be a success.
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