"The roster crystallizes quickly for a team that missed the playoffs.

After one exhibition game, it's almost clear who will be with the Devils when they open the season Oct. 8.

If they fill a 23-man roster, unlike last season's early salary cap circus of the short bench, the defense might comprise Andy Greene, Henrik Tallinder, Bryce Salvador, Anton Volchenkov, Matt Taormina and Adam Larsson, with Anton Stalman as the seventh.

Up front, it could be Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise, Dainius Zubrus and Eric Boulton on left wing, Patrik Elias, Petr Sykora, Jacob Josefson and, according to what coach Pete DeBoer has said, David Steckel at center. On right wing, there's David Clarkson, Nick Palmieri, Mattias Tedenby and Steve Bernier."