Preseason Recap

After going 1-2 in their first three games, the Devils won the final three, making their final record 4-2. Jamie Langenbrunner, Cam Janssen, and Colin White are all out indefinitely. Langenbrunner is expected to return in late November/early December, while it's unknown when Janssen and White will be able to play. Rookies Rod Pelley, David Clarkson, and Nicklas Bergfors all seem to have made the team.

Preseason scores:

G1, L 3-2 vs. Flyers
3rd:
Zach Parise (PP) (Karel Rachunek, Andy Greene)
Andy Greene (PP) (Aaron Asham)
Full Box Score

G2, W 3-0 @ Boston
2nd:
Pelley (Barry Tallackson, Vitaly Vishnevski)
3rd:
Rachunek (Johnny Oduya, Travis Zajac)
Tallackson (Bergfors, Oduya)
Full Box Score

G3, L 3-4 @ NYR
2nd:
Dainius Zubrus (Olli Malmavaara)
Parise (Clarkson, Brian Gionta)
Gionta (Malmavaara)
Box Score

G4, W 3-1 @ Flyers
1st:
Bergfors (Rachunek, Greene)
3rd:
Pelley (Sergei Brylin, Oduya)
Bergfors (Gionta, Jari Viuhkola)
Box Score


G5, W 6-1 vs NYI
1st:
Gionta (unassisted)
John Madden (Arron Asham, Matt Corrente)
Zajac (Parise, Clarkson)
2nd:
Gionta PP (Rachunek, Parise)
3rd:
Gionta PP(Greene, Rachunek)
Madden PP(VIsnevski, Greene)
Box Score

G6, W 2-1 @ NYI
1st:
Zubrus PP (Gionta)
2nd:
Parise PP (Greene)
Box Score

White and Janssen Injured

Colin White was hit above the eye durning 2 on 1 drills in practice today. He and the ice were covered in blood. When coach Brent Sutter went to find him in the locker room after practice was over, he was gone. No word on where exactly he got hit, and how bad it is yet.

Cam Janssen disloacted his shoulder during the preseason game on Monday during a fight. The jersey was pulled over his head and he got a beating. His shoulder popped out while he was trying to throw a punch. He got it back in, but he was involved in another fight minutes later where it popped out again and he missed the rest of the game.

New Captain for 07-08 Season?

Head coach Brent Sutter has announced that there might be a new captain and assistants this season. There's a good chance Elias will wear the C again, but Sutter wants the players to work for it- nothing will be handed to them. Several players have been brought up as options for the new leaders, including

Patrik Elias- Wore the C last season, but didn't have a great season, despite leading the team in points and assists. He admitted the C effected his play in the beginning of the season, but he got more comfortable as the season went on.
John Madden- Usually wears an A, but could change that with hard work during camp and the preseason games. Many thought he would wear the C after Stevens.
Colin White- Same as Madden, but might not be the best on ice leader on the team.
Jamie Langenbrunner- Also an A, and showed a lot of leadership on a line with Travis Zajac and Zach Parise last season. A current groin injury might prevent him from impressing in camp and getiing it, though.
Jay Pandolfo- No letter unless one of the above is injured,although he shows leadership on the ice. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem like a top choice in this race.
Sergei Brylin- Pretty much the same situation as Pandolfo. Is a great leader, but he probably won't get it.
Zach Parise- An excellent player who many believe will be the captain in time, but he's a little young right now. He'll wear an A, if anything.
Martin Brodeur- Goalies can't be captain, but some think they should have three alternates, and make Marty the honorary captain of the team. I can't really see this happening, although if goalies could be captain, we wouldn't even be talking about this right now.
Cam Janssen- Why not? He brings energy to the team with his two minutes of ice time a game. And he'll lead the league in goals, assists, points, +/-, PIMs, and game winners, all with his 2 minutes on ice a game. Book it.

I think Elias, Madden and Langenbrunner are the three best choices of those listed, but Langs's groin problems might also cause a problem with him having a chance as captain.

Dowd to Flyers Camp

Jim Dowd will be at the Flyers' trainging camp this season. Better them than us. He's 39, and was never the best. So thanks for the memories, but see ya Jimbo.

Erik Rasmussen was offered an invite to training camp by none ofther than Lou, which he turned down. I don't think anyone is too disappionted about that eiter.

The Devils currently have four open spots on the third and fourth lines, assuming the first two lines will be made up of Elias, Zubrus, Gionta, Parise, Zajac and Langenbrunner, with Madden and Pandolfo holding their spots on the third line. Asham, Janssen, Rupp, Clarkson, Pelley, Viuhkola, and Brylin will be the top candidates for those spots, but several prospects, such as Bergfors, Vrana, and Tallackson could make the cut, along with NHL vet Grant Marshall.