2010 New Jersey Devils Preview

I guess the good news is the New Jersey Devils got Ilya Kovalchuk signed to a 15 year 100 million dollar contract. Of course the cost of that contract is going to go way up. For signing a 17 year deal with the player that circumvented the NHL salary cap the Devils will have to pay a 3 million dollar fine (that will not count against their salary cap), and at some point over the next four years they must forfeit a first and a third round draft pick. The team gets to chose which years they give up the picks but must inform the league the day after the completion of the Stanley Cup Finals they are doing so.

On the ice John MacLean steps in as the head man. It is not a big change as he has been in a position of power within the organization for quite some time. Two years ago he ran the Devils practices after Claude Julien was fired. A year previous he also called the shots after Larry Robinson resigned during the season. He will not change the way the Devils play hockey, but he will be joined by assistant Coaches Adam Oates and Chris Terreri. It looks like he is in this for the long haul.

This team has spent a lot of money, and added some big pieces to its blue line. However one has to wonder about the wisdom or resigning Ilya. The Devils have a worse record with him in the lineup that without. Only time will tell how all of this will play out.

Key Additions- G Johan Hedberg, D Henrik Tallinder, D Anton Volchenkov, C Jason Arnott, and C David McIntyre

Key Departures- RW Matt Halischuk, C Rob Niedermayer, D Paul Martin, and C Ben Walter