2012-13 record: 19-19-10 (48 points)
Missed the playoffs.
Captain: Bryce Salvador
The 2012-13 season was one the New Jersey Devils would like to forget, as they fell to 28th in offense and were unable to replace Zach Parise's production. This offseason was off to a decent start, as the Devils would acquire Cory Schneider from Vancouver to become Martin Brodeur's eventual successor at the 2013 Draft. Ryane Clowe and Michael Ryder were signed to both compliment Ilya Kovalchuk and replace David Clarkson, who left for home and the Toronto Maple Leafs the same day. A week later, Kovalchuk decides to call it a day in the NHL and return home to Russia and an equally ludicrous contract from SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL. His replacement? 41-year old Jaromir Jagr, who played well in the regular season, but did not score a goal in the playoffs for Boston last season.
To say the Devils had an interesting off-season would be an understatement, but now the problems are about to mount, as only Patrik Elias now remains of the team's top three scorers. Damien Brunner is a training camp invitee, but expect him to make the roster, as the Devils can use all the scoring they can get, particularly since there's no real number one option here. Beyond Ryder and Elias, everybody else has question marks, particularly down the middle, where Travis Zajac is the number one option by default. It would help if Adam Henrique can prove that the sophmore slump that claimed his season is behind him. The Devils' blue line as currently constituted will remind no one of the Scott Stevens-led blue lines of the 90's and early 2000's, as it pretty much a no-name group led by Bryce Salvador, whose 2011-12 season appears to be an anomaly for his career. Perhaps Adam Larsson will finally tap into his potential, but don't hold your breath. Goaltending is more of a question mark than at any other time in Martin Brodeur's career in New Jersey because now, he will have to fight to keep his starting job with Schneider in town. Both can hold down the fort, but who will get the most time this season?
Prospects: If the Devils were ever in need of their young players to step up, this is the season. Stefan Matteau had a 17-game cup of coffee last year before getting sent back to Blainville-Boisbriand. He figures to stick around for good this year. Reid Boucher led the Canadian Hockey League in goals scored with Sarnia, and he is a near certainty to open with New Jersey this season. 62 goals would be too much to ask for, but anything he contributes, the Devils would be happy to accept. The blue line has at least one opening for any of Jon Merrill, Alexander Urbom, and Eric Gelinas, with Merrill being the favorite. Growing pains are to be expected here, especially if Larsson is unable to find his confidence.
Prediction: 8th in the Metropolitan Division
Financial troubles led to some down times last season, and given Kovalchuk's unexpected departure, the Devils were left in even more of a hole, as they could not fill it with a big name player like Vincent Lecavalier or even re-sign Clarkson. Goaltending will keep them in some games, but team defense will have to carry the day once again, and that may be asking too much.
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