Devils come out flat, get shutout by Flyers in opener

Hoping to avenge the 2009 opening loss to Flyers, the Devils did quite the opposite by showing zero offense, just like they did early last season. Claude Giroux, Matt Read and Wayne Simmonds scored the goals by beating the Devils 3-0. New Flyers ace goalie Ilya Bryzgalov made 20 saves in the shutout. Marty Brodeur was arguably the Devils best player in the losing effort making 26 saves on 29 Flyer shots.

The most depressing aspect was that the power play continued to be suspect, going 0-5 and allowing 2 short-handed breakaways, both turned away by Brodeur. Rookie defenseman Adam Larsson played well despite being a -1. The Devils play host to the Carolina Hurricanes today at 1, and will rely on Johan Hedberg in net.

Devils trade center Dave Steckel to Toronto Maple Leafs, to sign Petr Sykora

The New Jersey Devils have traded faceoff expert Dave Steckel to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 4th round draft pick in 2012. Steckel's trade clears up a roster spot for camp tryout Petr Sykora to return for a 2nd stint with the Devils. In 18 games for the Devils since the trade from Washington, Steckel has just 1 goal and nothing else.

Sykora is expected to be signed to a contract tomorrow by the deadline to finalize 23 man rosters and be under the Salary Cap. Sykora's first tenure with the Devils was from 1995-2002 followed by stints in Anaheim, the NY Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild. He won the cup with the Devils in 2000 and one with the Penguins in 2009. He has 302 goals and 375 career assists in 935 career games followed by a +54 career rating. Sykora is expected to start the year on one of the Devils top 2 lines most likely with Parise and Elias.

2011-2012 NHL Awards Predictions

Here are my Awards Predictions for the 2011-2012 NHL Season:

Calder Trophy (rookie of the Year): Adam Larsson (NJ)

Ted Lindsay Award (equivalent of Hart Trophy, but voted by Players): Alexander Ovechkin (WSH)

Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman): Shea Weber (NSH)

Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward): Pavel Datsyuk (DET)

Lady Byng Trophy (Sportsmanship) Martin St. Louis (TB)

Vezina Trophy (Goaltender): Ryan Miller (Buffalo)

Jack Adams Trophy (Coach of the Year): Lindy Ruff (Buffalo)

Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed): Marc-Andre Fleury and Brent Johnson (PIT)

James Masterton (Comeback POY): Manny Malhotra (VAN)

Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (Most Goals): Alexander Ovechkin (WSH)

Art Ross Trophy (Most Points): Evgeni Malkin (PIT)

Hart Trophy (MVP): Evgeni Malkin (PIT)

2011-2012 Official Standings Predictions and Cup Finals Predictions

Obviously, this will most likely not be the case, but I think the top 8 in each conference will make the playoffs.

Eastern Conference:

1. Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Washington Capitals
3. Buffalo Sabres
4. Philadelphia Flyers
5. Boston Bruins
6. NY Rangers
7. New Jersey Devils
8. Tampa Bay Lightning
9. Montreal Canadiens
10. Toronto Maple Leafs
11. Carolina Hurricanes
12. Florida Panthers
13. Winnipeg Jets
14. NY Islanders
15. Ottawa Senators

Western Conference:

1. Chicago Blackhawks
2. Vancouver Canucks
3. San Jose Sharks
4. Detroit Red Wings
5. Los Angeles Kings
6. Anaheim Ducks
7. Nashville Predators
8. St. Louis Blues
9. Phoenix Coyotes
10. Dallas Stars
11. Colorado Avalanche
12. Minnesota Wild
13. Calgary Flames
14. Edmonton Oilers
15. Columbus Blue Jackets

Stanley Cup Pick:

Eastern Conference Winner: Pittsburgh Penguins
Western Conference Winner: Chicago Blackhawks

Stanley Cup Winner: Chicago Blackhawks

Jacob Josefson hoping to shine for Devils this season, Larsson eager for start of camp

The term sophomore slump is a very common thing in the National Hockey League, everyone goes through it, but it only applies to those who have had very successful rookie seasons and not so good 2nd seasons. Steven Stamkos had a terrible rookie year, but a great sophomore season. Jacob Josefson did not have the rookie campaign he envisioned of having. He started out the 2010-2011 season in the minors in Albany and was called up a week later to make his NHL debut against Colorado. His debut did not go all too well as the team fell 3-2 to the Avalanche. But, Josefson in a game against the San Jose Sharks suffered a broken hand and would miss 6-8 weeks only to return to practice and be sent to Albany once more.

Josefson was called up eventually, but played 4th line duty for the most part until some key injuries moved him up. He finished the year with 3 goals and 7 assists in 28 games, but his body language looked disappointing a majority of the time. With the injury to Travis Zajac that will likely keep him out until Thanksgiving, Josefson will play a huge roll for the Devils and is likely to be paired up with Zach Parise or Ilya Kovalchuk one of the top two lines. This will be a huge chance for him to prove his worth to the Devils and why he was a steal in Round 1 of the 2009 Draft.

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As, it turns out 4th overall pick Adam Larsson was skating at the Devils practice facility attached to the Prudential Center for most of August and now September. Larsson wanted to get used to the ice surface and rink size and is eager to start his first training camp with New Jersey. He went back to Sweden after the draft and returned to Jersey for the Devils prospects camp from July 11-July 15. After the camp, he flew back to Sweden for a few weeks and returned back to New Jersey to get ready for training camp. The Devils rookies took their physicals this morning and will take it to the ice tomorrow morning while Devils veterans take their physicals. Devils veterans will take to the ice on Saturday when Larsson will get a chance to mix it up with them. He had no contact with new coach Peter DeBoer while preparing for training camp.

Devils hope to overcome adversity and return to playoffs (2011-2012 Season Preview)

Since the lockout, no NHL team has faced more adversity than the New Jersey Devils. Not only did the Devils have 2 separate salary cap messes in 2005-2006 and Summer of 2010, but they have had 7 different head coaches since the work stoppage ended. The Devils have also not advanced past the first round of the playoffs since the 2007 playoffs and last year was rock-bottom as they missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996. However, despite missing the playoffs, expectations remain very high in New Jersey as it always has, Stanley Cup or bust.

This year, the Devils will hope to return to their dominant form that made them a staple in the NHL for the past 20 years. In comes their 7th new coach since the lockout in Peter DeBoer as he will be charged with the task of turning the Devils around. The Devils biggest off-season move was drafting Swedish phenom Adam Larsson with the 4th overall pick in the draft. He will be given every opportunity to make the team in training camp. Other than that the team also brought in some toughness in Cam Janssen and Eric Boulton, who will battle it out for the enforcers roll. Boulton will likely beat out Janssen, but Cam will definitely be up and down from Albany and back.

Another factor that will determine the Devils success will be their health. Zach Parise who missed 69 games last season is finally healthy as well as defenseman Bryce Salvador, who was missed last year. The Devils will be without top-line center Travis Zajac until late November or even a bit longer, but GM Lou Lamoriello believes the Devils can still be very effective without him. Its likely that Patrik Elias, Jacob Josefson or Dainius Zubrus will be asked to play center on the top-line until Travis returns.

Obviously, the biggest questions facing the Devils are how will Kovalchuk play this year, will they lock-up Parise long-term before season's end, and how many games will Marty play. I think Kovalchuk will have a much better year this season. Last year was the getting used to year for him and he was relied upon way to heavily to provide 95% of the offense, which is unacceptable for a first-class organization such as the Devils. My guess is that Parise will end up a Devil long-term, but I think there is a good chance he will test the free agent market next summer. He will have a huge market for him since after him, there are not many big free agent names. The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings are likely to make the biggest push for Parise after failing with Brad Richards this past summer. Other that could make a push are the Sabres, Wild, Blues, Canucks, Predators, Red Wings, Stars, Islanders, Sharks, Panthers, Lightning, and Canadiens. But, having said all of that, if Lou Lamoriello changes the "Status Quo" of having a closed door policy on any contract negotiations during the season, I believe that Zach will be locked up sometime before the deadline in February. If by any reason, Parise tells the Devils there is no long-term guarantee, they might be forced to seek a trade. Finally, on the Brodeur front. It is evident that Marty Brodeur has faced an extremely heavy workload in the past years, but I think this year it will change. My belief is that he will start in at least 60 games, but they have to manage him very carefully.

I think the Devils success will ultimately depend on how they start and finish the year. They cannot start 9-22-3 like the did last year. They need to win 50% of those games and most of them were winnable games. Yes they had a hot stretch from mid- January to mid-March by going 21-2-3, but still their start hurt them. My belief is that Peter DeBoer will be around for a while and this time Lou Lamoriello will have no-one to blame but himself should the Devils struggle. However, I am picking them 6th or 7th in the East with a good potential for a first round playoff win.

Devils invite 5 to training camp

Petr Sykora is back with Devils, well sort off. He was one of five invited to attend Devils training camp on a tryout basis. Others invited are former Maple Leafs defenseman Anton Stralman, former Sharks, Canucks, Sabres and Panthers forward Steve Bernier, and junior players Justin Barnett and Thomas Nesbitt. Sykora was first drafted by the Devils in 1995, but was traded in Summer of 2002 to the then Anaheim Mighty Ducks in exchange for Oleg Tverdovsky and Jeff Friesen. 4 other players were involved in the deal, but they were all minor leaguer's. Although Mike Commodore has evolved as an everyday NHL defenseman.

Stralman, a defenseman has 11 goals and 63 assists in 212 career NHL games with Toronto and Columbus as well as 11 goals and 15 assists in 98 Swedish Elite League games. Bernier, a 2003 first round pick of the Sharks played last year for new Devils coach Peter DeBoer in Florida and has 76 goals and 83 assists in 385 career games. Sykora has 302 career goals and 375 assists in 935 games in the NHL and won the cup with the Devils in 2000 and with the Penguins in 2009. He has 32 career goals and 37 assists in the playoffs in 115 games.

Sykora has struggled to make and play in the NHL in the past 2 seasons ever since Pittsburgh won the cup. With the depth at wing for the Devils, it will be tough for him to make the team, but he will get every opportunity to do so along with Steve Bernier, who I think has a great shot to make the team if he plays well in the preseason. Stralman might make it since the Devils are sort of thin on defense, but might be back and forth between minors much like Sykora and Bernier could be. The other two in Barnett and Nesbitt will likely make Albany. Devils veterans will report for physicals on Friday and open practice this Saturday at Prudential Center.

Is this finally the year the Washington Capitals make a very deep playoff run?

The Washington Capitals in the past 3 years have been the most underachieving team in the NHL. In 2007-2008, they had a late season run to make the playoffs, but fell in Round 1 in 7 games against the Flyers, but that year they were the underdog in the series. However, since that playoff, expectations for the team grew and grew to the point where they finished 2nd in the east the following year and had to rally from a 3-1 deficit against the Rangers in Round 1. But, they were embarrassed by rival Pittsburgh in Round 2 at home in Game 7.

In 2009-2010, the Capitals won the President's Trophy for the NHL's best record, but they ran into a very hot goaltender in Jaroslav Halak of Montreal. Last season, the Capitals focused on one thing and that is improving their defensive play and penalty killing unit, which plagued them in their past playoff failures. They went on to have a top 5 penalty killing unit in the NHL and went on again to finishing 1st in the Eastern Conference. However, after they beat the Rangers in Round 1 in 5 games, they were embarrassed again in Round 2 and were swept by division rival Lightning. Many though that last season was the last straw for GM George McPhee and Head Coach Bruce Boudreau, but they are both back for another year and make no mistake, this year is for sure their last straw.

The Capitals needed to address many areas in the offseason including most of all, they need to be 100% healthy and ready to go. They went on to finally sign a goaltender they tried to acquire for so many years in Tomas Vokoun. Stability in goal was one of their main downswings in the playoffs. Also, they brought in some cup winning pedigree in acquiring Troy Brouwer from Chicago and signed Nashville's playoff standout Joel Ward. Others brought in were former fan favorite in Jeff Halpern and defenseman Roman Hamrlik.

Now, the next focus is which of their players can step up at the right time. The most scrutinized players besides Ovechkin are Alex Semin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green, who all need to put up the numbers they are accustomed to putting up when it counts most, which is in the playoffs. Tom Poti is questionable to return this season, but they do have Dennis Wideman and youngster John Carlson. There is not doubt they have the talent to win the cup, but they need to work on the will part and wanting to win more than the other team. The Pressure is on the Washington Capitals, now let's see if they can finally live up to all the hype.

After losing in conference finals in 2 straight years, Sharks look to finally reach Finals and win

The San Jose Sharks are the 2nd of three teams in the league who need to win the Cup now. Back in the 2004 playoffs, the Sharks seemed destined to reach the Stanley Cup Finals, but ran into a hot goaltender in Mikka Kiprusoff of Calgary, yes the same Kiprusoff who backed up Evgeni Nabokov in San Jose. They lost to Calgary in 6 games in a series which saw the road team win every game until Game 6, when Calgary defeated the Sharks in Alberta.

Ever since that year, expectations grew for San Jose as they are still seeking their 1st Stanley Cup in Franchise history. Also, since 2004 they saw their in-state rivals Ducks win the Cup in 2007 and upset them in Round 1 of the 2009 playoffs. In November 2005, the Sharks made a blockbuster trade with Boston getting star center Joe Thornton, but based on the Bruins winning the cup this past year, that deal turned out as a loss for the Sharks despite the Bruins not having any of the return pieces playing for them anymore.

However, the 2009 loss to the Ducks was seen as a huge missed opportunity for the Sharks considering they won the President's Trophy that season for the league's best record. They went on to acquire Dany Heatley that summer from Ottawa and reached the Conference Finals where like in 2009 when they ran into a hot Jonas Hiller, they could not solve Antti Niemi of the Blackhawks and were swept out of the playoffs in 2010. This past season with a cup winning goaltender in Niemi, they could not get past Vancouver, but they were a huge underdog against them.

After two straight missed opportunities, the Sharks decided to change their chemistry and went on to trade Heatley to the Wild for Martin Havlat. Heatley was seen as a disappointment in the playoffs for San Jose and they also made two more deals with Minnesota acquiring Brent Burns for Devin Setoguchi and James Sheppherd for a draft pick. They also brought in veteran center Michal Handzus and locked up Niemi long-term. So, hopefully the changing of the guard helps San Jose win their elusive Stanley Cup.

After embarrassing Game 7 loss to Bruins, Canucks begin long journey to return to Finals

No team is more disappointed about how last season ended than the Western Conference Champions Vancouver Canucks. After an embarrassing 4-0 Game 7 loss to the Bruins on home ice, which was followed by outside riots that resulted in millions of dollars in damages, the Vancouver Canucks begin a long and more difficult road to return to the Finals and seek redemption. There is no doubt in my mind or anyone's in Canada, that the Canucks are still Canada's best hope to bring the Stanley Cup back to its country. The Montreal Canadiens were the last Canadian team to win the cup in 1993.

2010-2011 began as a year of destiny for Vancouver. They had a very busy offseason which brought them the biggest defenseman on the market in Dan Hamhuis as well acquiring Keith Ballard from Florida. The Canucks thought they finally had the toughness and depth to win the cup. They easily won the President's Trophy for the best record in the NHL, but it was a late season injury to its biggest checking center Manny Malhotra that made fatigue set in a bit quicker.

The Canucks added forward depth at the trade deadline getting Maxim Lapierre and Chris Higgins in separate deals. The additions helped them in the playoffs. After exorcising their playoff demons the Chicago Blackhawks in Round 1, it seemed the story would end perfectly with the Canucks winning the franchise's first Stanley Cup in its 40th anniversary season. They managed to overcome a hot goalie in Pekka Rinne in Nashville in Round 2 and exorcised their 2010 nemesis in Antti Niemi in the conference finals against San Jose, who I will write about sometime this week. But, on their road to the final they suffered key injuries and some players were not 100% like Ryan Kesler and even the Sedin's.

However, the Finals presented their biggest test in Tim Thomas of the Bruins. The Canucks jumped out to a quick 2-0 series lead against Boston after winning the first two games on home ice. However, the Canucks barely won their two home games and the Bruins actually managed to play well in Vancouver and never seemed to lose any confidence heading home. Also, the Canucks lost their #1 defenseman in Dan Hamhuis to injury. During period 1 in Game 3, both teams were even in the frame, but after a hit to the head of Nathan Horton by Canucks Aaron Rome, the series seemed to change. The Bruins felt motivated and Tim Thomas started to play out of his mind, stopping shots a great NHL goalie would not stop. Boston trumped Vancouver 8-1 in Game 3 in Boston and the Canucks confidence began to suffer. Rome would be suspended for the rest of the final. They followed up a Game 3 overwhelming victory with a 4-0 shutout of Vancouver in Game 4. Roberto Luongo's confidence was simply shattered.

In Game 5, the Canucks returned home determined to go back to Boston up 3-2 with a chance to close out the series. They did just that, but yet again it was only a 1-0 victory so Boston was still confident. Despite an extra day to prepare for Game 6, the Canucks lost Game 6 in Boston 5-2 and the rest of the story told itself.

So, now comes the healing and redemption part. The biggest question is can Luongo rebound from a terrible series against Boston as well as the Canucks. As mentioned above, they still are Canada's best hope for a Stanley Cup, but it will be more difficult for them. They did add some toughness and lost toughness. Torres, Ehrhoff, Bolduc and Glass are gone. In come Marco Sturm, Andrew Ebbett and Byron Bitz. They also brought in Owen Nolan and Todd Fedoruk for a professional tryout. Nolan if healthy and effective can be a 20 goal scorer although with his age those days are likely over. But if he can get at least 15 it will be good for Vancouver. Fedoruk is an enforcer and will be a plus for Vancouver along with Bitz. Ebbett is also a physical presence.

Luongo can bounce back and I think he will feel more motivated than ever. He does have a large cloud of pressure on him to win the Stanley Cup for Vancouver and prove his long-term contract is worth it, otherwise Cory Schneider is ready to step in at any moment. One person who should feel a lot of pressure and motivation is Head Coach Alain Vigneault, who was out-coached by Claude Julien in the Finals. But, why is there pressure on him? Well the Canucks have hired former Oilers coach Craig MacTavish to be the Head Coach of their minor league affiliate in Chicago. MacTavish led the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006 and was a finalist for many coaching vacancies this year. If the Canucks get off to a rough start or are not in the right state of mind to go for another cup run or victory, Vigneault could be on the chopping block and MacTavish will most likely be his successor.

However, I think their road back to the finals will be much more difficult than what they went through this year. I think teams like Chicago, Detroit and San Jose got better and they are the #1 target in the tough Western Conference. But, they have another very good chance. If they can avoid the Blackhawks in the playoffs, they can certainly return to the finals and if they do, I think they will win the cup even if this years final is a rematch of this past years.