GDHQNHL15_2pg-New Jersey Devils 1

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New Jersey DEVILS Offense Jaromir Jagr is a definite Hall of Famer, but he’ll turn 43 in February, and even if he has said he wants to play until he’s 50 and works out like someone in his late 20s, you can’t be a Cup contender when he’s leading you in scoring. Jagr had 67 points last year and an impressive plus-16 rating, best on the team by far. But there is no guarantee that Jagr is going to continue his fine production. We’re in uncharted waters here, and expecting someone in his mid-40s to lead the way is unrealistic. That’s why the Devils signed a couple free agent wings in the offseason. Jersey fans shouldn’t be too excited, because it’s not like they added All-Stars. But Mike Cammalleri did score 26 goals last year, and when healthy, Martin Havlat can help. The problem is keeping him healthy. He played in only 48 games last year and just 39 two seasons ago. The Devils can count on young center Adam Henrique to continue blossoming. He led the team with 25 goals, including seven on the power play. Veteran Patrik Elias can still produce, as his 18 goals last year demonstrate, and Travis Zajac is a reliable center who should have a strong year between Cammalleri and Jagr. Expect veteran winger Michael Ryder to be a weapon on the third line. It would be good if left wing Ryan Clowe can stay healthy for the whole season. He’s a power forward who played in 43 games last season. In the four years before the strike-shortened 2012-13 campaign, he was a solid producer. Veteran Dainius Zubrus can still be counted on for double-figure goals, despite his 36-year old body, and Damien Brunner is a solid fourth-line player who can also help out on the power play. Defense New Jersey suffered a loss in this area, when Mark Fayne left via free agency. While not a huge scorer, Fayne provided stability along the blue line and was a part of the team’s outstanding penalty kill. New Jersey has options to replace him and should again have a stout defense, but that means some younger players have to step up. There shouldn’t be any trouble with the first pairing. Andy Greene and Marek Zidlicky are veterans, who while not overpowering, are certainly capable. Zidlicky was the more productive of the two from an offensive end, registering 12 goals and 42 points, while leading the Devils in penalty minutes—although 60 isn’t exactly a huge total. Greene had a plus-three rating and demonstrated his ability to set people up from the point and help out on the power play. EASTERN CONFERENCE METROPOLITAN DIVISION Patrik Elias Len Redkoles/NHL/Getty Images; Key Additions: LW Mike Cammalleri; RW Martin Havlat; G Scott Clemmensen Key Subtractions: G Martin Brodeur; D Mark Fayne; D Anton Volchenkov Strengths: Stellar penalty kill, goaltending Weaknesses: Lack of scoring, history of injuries on roster


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