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Devils on the decline, but still dangerous

While rest of NHL moves away from obstruction, N.J. brings back Lemaire

New York Rangers v New Jersey DevilsGetty Images
Zach Parise led the Devils in scoring last season.

Stanley Cups: 3

2008-'09 record: 51-27-4, 106 points (1st in Atlantic, 4th in East)

2008-'09 playoffs: Lost to Carolina Hurricanes 4-3

General manager: Lou Lamoriello (873-581-228, 21st NHL year, 1st team)

Coach: Jacques Lemaire (540-414-177, 16th NHL season, 3rd team)

Captain: Jamie Langenbrunner

Top returning scorer: LW Zach Parise (45 goals, 49 assists, 94 points)

Top returning goalie: Martin Brodeur (19-9-3, 2.41, .916)

Key additions: G Yann Danis; D Cory Murphy; D Rob Davison.

Key subtractions: G Scott Clemmensen; C John Madden; RW Brian Gionta; C Mike Rupp; C Bobby Holik; RW Barry Tallackson; D Niclas Havelid; G Kevin Weekes.

Top line: LW Zach Parise, C Travis Zajac; RW Jamie Langenbrunner.

Top defensive pairing: Johnny Oduya, Paul Martin.

Goaltending: A torn bicep muscle cost Brodeur, who became the NHL's winningest goalie last season, 50 games and left him three shutouts shy of Terry Sawchuk (103) to become the league's career leader. Injury ended his 10-season streak of 70 or more games. Like a chameleon, has adapted his game constantly over his career to maintain his excellence. Brilliant puckhandler who eschews the big, bulky gear popular with most netminders.

Player to watch: RW Niklas Bergfors. Former first-round draft pick looked to have finally figured things out during an eight-game audition with the Devils last season. Offensively-skilled forward makes up for his lack of size through his competitive nature. Elusive on skates and armed with a deadly shot.

Icing: Zach Parise had a breakout year last season, posting career highs in goals, assists, 94 and 14 power-play goals. He even netted 14 winning goals as the Devils overcame the loss of Brodeur for 50 games and won the Atlantic Division. New Jersey will have to shake off the crushing Game 7 loss to Carolina in which the Devils allowed the tying and winning goals to be scored in the final 80 seconds.

Outlook: While the rest of the NHL moves away from obstruction, the Devils went back to the future by returning the team to Lemaire, who guided them to the 1995 Stanley Cup. It wasn’t working for him in Minnesota, so should be expect it to work again in New Jersey?

Prediction: 95 points, 3rd in Atlantic, 5th seed in East.

Bob Duff writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the NHL for the Windsor (Ontario) Star; The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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