Metropolitan Division 2014-15 Preview: New Jersey Devils

2014-15 NHL Metropolitan Division preview: New Jersey Devils add offense, but will it be enough?

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COACH: Peter DeBoer

2013-14 RECORD: 35-29-18, 88 points (sixth in Metropolitan, missed playoffs)

VITAL SIGNS: 2.4 goals per game (27th), 2.4 goals-against per game (6th); 19.5 power play pct. (9th); 86.4 penalty kill pct. (1st); shootout record: 0-13 (30th)

NOTABLE ARRIVALS: F Mike Cammalleri, F Martin Havlat, G Scott Clemmensen

NOTABLE DEPARTURES: D Anton Volchenkov, D Mark Fayne

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART

Forwards

Mike Cammalleri - Travis Zajac - JaromirJagr
Patrik Elias - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder
Martin Havlat - Dainius Zubrus - Damien Brunner
Ryane Clowe - Stephen Gionta - Tuomo Ruutu

Defensemen

Andy Greene - Adam Larsson
Jon Merrill - Marek Zidlicky
Eric Gelinas - Bryce Salvador

Goalies

Cory Schneider
Keith Kinkaid

Best case scenarios for Eastern Conference teams

, .921 save percentage last season). You can’t win games without scoring, though, and the defensively-minded Devils might find it hard to keep up with their most high-powered divisional foes.

• Devils defense gets infusion of youth

PLAYER TO WATCH:Jaromir Jagr

The emphasis is on “watch.” You probably won’t have many more chances to see Jagr in all of his butt-out, puck-protecting glory, and even though he’s 42 those hands remain as smooth as ever. Repeating last year’s 67-point performance might be tough, but it's not impossible.

PREDICTION: 83 points (fifth in Metropolitan)

• Three Devils who need to step it up this season

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