NJ Devils Season Preview
The New Jersey Devils enter the new CPHL season with many questions surrounding them. Consensus around the league seems to say that the Devils should expect to finish in last place in their conference. Devils' managers say publicly that they do not expect their team to qualify for the playoffs this season, though they do expect the team to exceed the low expectations placed on them by members of the hockey media.
Some of the questions being whispered in connection to the Devils as we head into the new CPHL season include:
Can Khabibulin Carry The Load?
With Nikolai Khabibulin in net, the Devils' main position of strength is obvious after several off-season trades sent experienced players packing in exchange for draft picks and young players.
GM Steve R believes that Nikolai is under-rated by the CPHL's central scounting bureau and that he will have a bounce-back season. He also is under the belief that Khabibulin's value is at its lowest point at the moment, so rumblings around the league that the veteran netminder was on his way out have quieted down somewhat. Some insiders believe that Devils' management will only wait until injuries and last-minute playoff pushes make other managers more willing to part with the players the Devils are looking for.
Will The Rebuilding Project Work?
The Devils are clearly banking on the youngsters in their system realizing their potential, which is a bit of a gamble, however, the Devils do have solid prospects at all positions in their system, not to mention young upstart Corey Perry on the pro team to lead the youth movement.
Obviously, the rebuilding project will take some time to bear fruit, however, Devils management and owners are comfortable with the moves that have taken place since GM Steve R took over this summer. Patience will be key to the Devils' future success, so the biggest question going into the new season will be: Can the Devils and their new GM show the necessary patience to see the movement through?
Are The Devils Done Trading?
Insiders around the league have begun to note that Devils management is no longer seeking draft picks and ECHL-level players in trade discussions; the team is now setting their sights on CPHL players who have perhaps one to two years' experience behind them.
"Admittedly, this process will be more difficult, time-consuming, and frustrating than the moves which brought us our newcomers was," explained GM Steve R. "We are, however, very excited about the process and new season ahead of us."
Season Predictions:
Top Point-Getter: Corey Perry, RW
Top Defensive Scorer: Christian Backman
Most Improved Player: Corey Perry, RW
Team MVP: Nikolai Khabibulin, G
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