Follow me at @NJDAdvocate

It has been an interesting off-season for Uncle Lou and the Devils.
Bye bye to Volchenkov (bought out and signed with the Preds), Mark Fayne (signed with the Oilers) and by all signs, Martin Brodeur.
Hello to Mike Cammalleri and Martin Havlat (5 years late – I always wanted him to play with Elias).
A sure improvement especially with an anemic offense.

Let me take a stab on the pieces of the Devils' puzzle.

FORWARDS
Cammaleri – Zajac – Jagr
Elias – Henrique – Ryder
Clowe – Zubrus – Brunner
Havlat – Gionta – Ruutu
Josefson – Bernier as reserves

The Devils rarely have a superstar forward line, but looking at my attempt to set lines, Coach DeBoer has a fun challenge ahead. To me, looks like we have four 2nd lines!
We also have depth if injuries occur.

Can Havlat play a bigger role and move up the lines?
That 4th line seems to need a playmaker (Josefson).
Uncle Lou has mentioned he would like to trade a forward, or two. Makes sense especially since we have Reid Boucher and Stefan Matteau waiting for their opportunity.

DEFENSE
Greene – Larsson
Zidlicky - Merrill
Salvador – Gelinas
Harrold – Severson as reserves

I like the fact that we have a vet and a youngster in each pair. Nice balance.
I think this is how we start the first quarter of the season. All eyes on the youngsters.

GOALIES

Schneider
Kinkaid

I think Schneider is the real deal and ready to be the man. I also think he is on his way to becoming a top echelon goalie.

I keep coming back to the backup position and cant help to share my conspiracy theory…
Marty wants to play. Marty wants to win.
After the first quarter we would have given Kinkaid an opportunity with a few spot starts. We know how Uncle Lou wants goalie depth in the playoffs and Kinkaid is not at that level.
Maybe Marty takes the first half pf the season off (barring an injury to either goalie) and signs late in the season and fresh for one more crack at it with… The New Jersey Devils!


My 5 burning questions are;

1- Is this the deepest Devils team we have seen in quite some time? They are built to win NOW!
2- What line pairs will we see? Too many options create lines shuffling and harder for lines to gel. We know Jagr has been vocal about this topic.
3- Will Gelinas continue his growth and become that PPlay key contributor?
4- Will Adam Larsson finally take a step and be here to stay? Time is running out.
5- Will Kinkaid be the backup come down the stretch? Or will we sign a vet backup? ( Martin Brodeur???)

What do you think, Devils Fans?

Truly Yours,
The Devils Advocate

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