New Jersey Devils Season 2 Preview

[SSiG]

Gilmour Expecting Great Year, Rest of Devils Expecting to Struggle

There is an optimist in the room today. Doug Gilmour has boldly said that his New Jersey Devils, who were the laughing stock of the draft league last season with just 6 wins, will DOUBLE their win output of last season, and compete to get out of the Northeast Conference cellar. Heh, good luck with that Dougie. Here is our insider's preview of the New Jersey Devils as they get ready for another season.

Goalies - This looks to be big trouble. Again, the Devils brass went for offense first, defense second, and goalies last. Jon Casey (KC) and the Sunshine Band is expected to struggle, but there's a familiar face as his backup. Darcy Wakaluk returns for his second season as the Devils' backup goalie. After performing admirably in split duty with Bob Essensa last season, Darcy expects to get more starts and more ice time. Expect the Devils to let in a lot of goals unless their defense gives them a hand, and so far this preseason, that has not been the case.

Rating: F+ (Last year: D)

Defense - Adding tough guy Scott Stevens and veteran all-arounder Curtis Leschyshyn makes the Devils a little tougher on defense. Stevens brings brusing power to the table, as he is expected to do what Rob Blake and Paul Coffey couldn't do, and that's send puckhandlers crashing to the ice. Leschyshyn is expected to be the Paul Coffey-type player on this team, an offensive defenseman. Backups Bruce Driver and Alexi Kastanov expect to see some ice time as well, and they are solid if nothing else.

Rating: C- (Last year: B-)

Offense - This is where the Devils expect to shine. They've improved their front line with returning speedster Doug Gilmour, and new boys Esa Tikkanen (60 points in season 1) and Kevin Stevens, who is coming off a season which he saw little action. Stevens will be looking to prove himself. New Jersey's backup offensive players are pretty competent themselves, with the fast-skating Randy Wood leading the way. Wood already has 2 goals this preseason, and is expected to see a lot more ice-time as the preseason winds down. Veteran Wendel Clark will be the 2nd line center, and he brings experience, leadership, and a father-figure locker room presence. Chris Kontos is a young man with a lot of potential, and despite not playing at all last season for San Jose, Devils brass were quick to draft him. Kontos is expected to play 2nd line right wing, but should struggles come up for Kevin Stevens, Kontos will be ready to step in and play a big role.

Rating: C+ (Last year: C)

Overall - It's going to be another long season in New Jersey, but fans are upbeat about this team. They are expecting to be a lot more competitive. Time will tell if these guys can gel together and get over the 10 wins bar that coach Tom Delgado has set for them. Nobody in the league is expecting the Devils to do much of anything, but if everything falls their way, they could contend for a playoff spot. They're not to where they want to be yet, and I don't see them getting there anytime soon, but they could sneak up on some people.

Prediction: 10-41-0-5 (25 points, last in Northeast Division, last in East)

Player Predictions

Doug Gilmour: 52 G/11 A/63 P

Esa Tikkanen: 15 G/30 A/45 P

Chris Kontos: 10 G/34 A/44 P

Kevin Stevens: 9 G/26 A/35 P

Scott Stevens: 3 G/25 A/28 P

Curtis Leschyshyn: 8 G/19 A/27 P

Jon Casey: 6-33-0-4, 4.06 GAA

Darcy Wakaluk: 4-8-0-1, 4.67 GAA

[DaDonch44]

ROFL.......

May not be the best player in the league, but definitely the funniest and most entertaining!!!

[SSiG]

You should see me when I'm playing Ice Hockey (NES) with a team full of fat men