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New Jersey Devils News

Ilya Kovalchuk enjoying a stellar season as quintessential team player
February 11
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Ask Devils sharpshooter Ilya Kovalchuk about his metamorphosis from a pure goal scorer to the quintessential team player this season and he denies such a change has taken place. He insists his current stretch of superlative hockey is how he played for nearly eight seasons for the Atlanta Thrashers. The problem, he said, was he often played in an arena full of empty seats and apathetic fans. "When you play in a small market, nobody really recognizes that," he said Friday. "But when you play in a bigger market and you're the center of attention, the people start watching, and they understand hockey more, they see the way I play. "That's how I've always played. It just takes a little time to"
Parise won't be caught in the pact
February 11
New York Post
 
"Just 16 shopping days remain until Deadline Day. The word is Zach Parise wishes to concentrate on playing hockey rather than worry about negotiating a deal before Feb. 27. That's when it becomes too late for the Devils to trade him, should they find themselves financially despairing of re-signing him. Parise, who brings a seven-game point streak into this afternoon's visit by the Panthers, yesterday was silent regarding his upcoming contract. Before clamming up, however, he said he remains open to re-signing with the Devils during the season. But sources say he's "hockey first" right now, not wanting such a major distraction as negotiations, if possible. That means not discussing his"
Devils' Zajac likely to miss another month
February 10
NHL.com
 
"There's a good possibility New Jersey center Travis Zajac will be back on the ice within two weeks. Game action will take a little longer. According to Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, Zajac, who has played just eight games this season while recovering from a torn left Achilles' tendon, must build up strength and flexibility in his foot and leg before starting to skate. Only then can he begin working his way back into practicing. "The good news is that it appears it has healed the way it should," Lamoriello told the media hours before his club hosted to the St. Louis Blues at Prudential Center. "In saying that, because he's been off the ice a number of weeks and he hasn't done"
Blues stick it to Devils
February 10
New York Post
 
"Before he made his getaway, the perpetrator demonstrated to the Blues' broadcasters how high his stick was when it deflected in the tying goal. He gestured about six feet above ice level, when the legal limit is four. Down the hall, a teammate chirped, "No goal, no goal.'' The admissions were too late to matter, video evidence deemed lacking to overturn the referees' decision. It counted, erasing the Devils' last lead with 5:50 left in regulation, the injustice compounded when New Jersey 's five-game winning streak ended in a 4-3 shootout loss last night in Newark."
Call-up Jeff Frazee will dress as Devils backup goalie instead of Martin Brodeur
February 9
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Devils today recalled goalie Jeff Frazee from Albany (AHL) to dress as Johan Hedberg's backup in tonight's game against the St.Louis Blues. Martin Brodeur, who twisted both ankles when Rangers captain Ryan Callahan landed on him during Tuesday night's game at the Garden, took part in the morning skate and said he could've dressed as backup. However, Devils coach Pete DeBoer and general manager Lou Lamoriello decided to take no chances."
Langenbrunner returns to face Devils
February 9
New York Post
 
"The last Devils' captain returns to play in Newark tonight for the first time since he was traded away last season. Jamie Langenbrunner has been a vital veteran in the rise of the Blues under Ken Hitchcock this season. When last seen in Newark 13 months ago, he was on his way out under the cloud of strained relations with re-hired Jacques Lemaire. He's entitled to a grateful welcome from the fans who saw him lead the 2003 playoffs in goal-scoring en route to the Devils' last Stanley Cup, and hurry back only nine days after arthroscopic right knee surgery to rejoin the lineup in the 2009 playoffs."
Brodeur, Devils blank Rangers
February 8
New York Post
 
"Two hours before they dropped the puck on the latest salvo in the Battle of the Hudson at the Garden, Martin Brodeur talked about the State(s) of the Rivalry that has been so compelling for so long. "It's us against the top team in the league," the all-time goaltender told The Post. "The way I look at it it's not really the Devils against the Rangers, it's the Devils against the best team in the NHL. "I don't know if they look at the rivalry exactly the same as we do because they have their rivalries against the Flyers and the Islanders where they have targets on their backs, but I know that I always look forward to this and especially with how well they've been playing all year.""
Gloves off for Rangers, Devils
February 7
New York Post
 
"The Rangers are fighting for first place in the Eastern Conference. The Devils are fighting to improve their position in the standings. And both teams fight . . . a lot. With 42 fighting majors, the Rangers lead the NHL, and the Devils rank eighth with 26. So it's a pretty safe bet that you can expect some fisticuffs when the two rivals square off tonight at the Garden. The first time they faced off this season, the Rangers' Mike Rupp and Cam Janssen fought three seconds into the game, followed by the Devils' David Clarkson and Brandon Dubinsky duking it out less than two minutes later. And this past Saturday, the Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk got his first fighting major of the season, scoring a"
Rookie C Adam Henrique comfortable easing back into Devils' lineup after returning from groin strain
February 6
Bergen Record
 
"Devils rookie center Adam Henrique began his 22nd birthday today with some hard skating during the team's optional practice this morning at Prudential Center. On Tuesday, he'll play at Madison Square Garden for the first time in his young career as the Devils make their first visit of the season to the renovated arena. "I'm kind of surprised we haven't been there, yet," Henrique said. "I'm looking forward to it. I've never played there before, but it's Madison Square Garden, so you hear about that everywhere. I'm excited for it. Playing the Rangers, guys always get up for those games.""
Devils pop Pens for fourth straight
February 6
New York Post
 
"Red-hot Ilya Kovalchuk says the results are the message. The Devils did their talking this week by beating the Rangers, Flyers and Penguins, the three Atlantic Division foes above them. "We sent a little message to all the league that we're right there," Kovalchuk said after he recorded his third straight three-point game in the Devils' 5-2 triumph over the Penguins yesterday at Prudential Center, their fourth straight victory since the All-Star break. The day after marking the second anniversary of his trade to the Devils with a Gordie Howe Hat Trick against the Flyers, Kovalchuk kept his hot streak going with a goal and two assists to help subdue Pittsburgh."
Kovalchuk playing like "a beast" for Devils; Parise heating up too; Henrique provides lift in return
February 6
Bergen Record
 
"Ilya Kovalchuk continued his torrid pace with a goal and two assists in today's 5-2 win over Pittsburgh for his third consecutive three-point game. Kovalchuk has three goals and seven assists during the team's four-game winning streak and now has 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) in 48 games this season – one behind Patrik Elias for the team lead.. That's 10 consecutive seasons with at least 50 points for Kovalchuk (he had 51 as NHL rookie in 2001-02) Kovalchuk's goal, which opened the scoring 2:21 into the game, was the 750th point of his career. He then added assists on goals by Dainius Zubrus and Anton Volchenkov, giving him 752 points in 749 career regular season games. "I'll trade all"
Henrique returns to Devils lineup
February 5
NHL.com
 
"Devils rookie center Adam Henrique will return to the lineup Sunday afternoon for the first time since the All-Star break. Henrique has missed the last three games, all Devil wins, with a sore groin. Devils coach Pete DeBoer said prior to the Devils game against Pittsburgh that he still isn't sure on what line he'll use Henrique. He's played the bulk of his even-strength shifts between Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise. The Devils had to activate Henrique off injured reserve, and to do that they sent Peter Harrold back to Albany of the AHL."
Rinaldo put Kovalchuk in the fighting mood
February 5
CSN Philly
 
"When Ilya Kovalchuk and Brayden Schenn dropped the gloves in the third period during Saturday's matinee game at the Wells Fargo Center, Kovalchuk had no intentions on fighting Schenn. Kovalchuk was going after Zac Rinaldo, who knocked down Zach Parise after the whistle during the third period. "I asked him, 'What are you going to do?' He said, 'Fight you,'" Kovalchuk said to the Star-Ledger. "Rinaldo slew-footed Zach. He's one of those kind of players who wanted to get something going and they did." Before he could confront Rinaldo, Schenn stepped in the way to meet Kovalchuk. The two exchanged punches before Kovalchuk landed a hard right that sent Schenn to the ice."
NHL's early-season jaunts in CBA doubt
February 5
New York Post
 
"The Premiere Games in Europe that have opened the NHL season the past five years could be a casualty of collective bargaining, though sources within the league and the NHLPA have told Slap Shots the sides are attempting to strike an agreement under which the matches would be scheduled. The uncertainty over whether the 2012-13 season will begin on time given the Sept. 15 expiration date of the CBA has at least for the time being prevented scheduling of the games, with the parties as yet unable to agree on the parameters regarding revenue allocations and risk should the matches be canceled. Regardless of whether the issue is settled in a timely manner, the Rangers will not open the season in"
Ilya, Devs pack punch
February 5
New York Post
 
"These are the games that make general managers believers. They also cause them enough horror to make them trade-deadline buyers. In the end, the Devils' 6-4 victory over the Flyers yesterday was glorious for the six-goal lead they opened and frightening because of the four they gave back in their familiar third-period foldup. But as they play host to the Penguins this afternoon in Newark with a chance to pull within a point of Pittsburgh, yesterday will be memorable for the $100 Million Dollar Man Ilya Kovalchuk's Gordie Howe hat trick, an indisputable stand for his captain and team."
Devils plagued by injuries as they begin tough stretch against Philadelphia Flyers
February 4
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Devils' version of the "next man up" mantra will be put to the test again this afternoon when they play at Philadelphia without rookie defenseman Adam Larsson and winger Ryan Carter in addition to the other skating wounded. Already sidelined are rookie center Adam Henrique (groin), center Travis Zajac (sore Achilles) and defenseman Henrik Tallinder (blood clot). Defenseman Bryce Salvador (ankle) and winger Alexei Ponikarovsky (hand) are playing hurt. The Devils (28-19-3), who may recall a player from Albany, are 1-2 against the Philadelphia Flyers (30-14-6) this season. "I think good teams always find ways to overcome injuries," winger David Clarkson said Friday after a brief practice"
Devils hope they can go fourth
February 4
New York Post
 
"The Atlantic Division's fourth-place Devils tackle the three teams above them in four days, but coach Pete DeBoer said this won't be the true tell-tale sign for his team, even as the NHL trade deadline looms. "Considering where we're sitting and going in undermanned, I'm not drawing any lines in the sand saying, 'This is our test to see if we can compete with these teams,' " DeBoer said. "I don't think it's fair to do that. "I feel we can [compete]. Obviously, it's an important stretch. The only way to make up ground is by beating the teams above you.""
Painful win for Devils
February 3
New York Post
 
"The Devils' prize rookie draftee might miss tomorrow's visit to Philadelphia because of the crumpling hit P.K. Subban laid on him last night. The Canadiens think Adam Larsson should sit out anyway by suspension. The sight of Larsson stretched out on the ice was an example of vigilante retaliation, a team taking punishment into its own hands after refs missed alleged infractions. The Devils said Larsson suffered a "lower back bruise." There's also the possibility Patrik Elias might be reprimanded for his boarding penalty that knocked Mike Blunden out of the game."
Rivalry lives! Devils find a way to beat Rangers
February 1
New York Post
 
"The Rangers had their way for four years. Long enough, the Devils say. Notwithstanding that the Devils didn't have to deal with Henrik Lundqvist, the Jersey Boys grasped gratefully at the chance to start reversing the flow of the Battle of the Hudson with last night's remarkable and stunning 4-3 shootout victory over the Rangers at the Prudential Center. "Of late, it's been tough. We had our share of being successful against these guys, but not lately," Martin Brodeur said. "You always remember what's gone on yesterday. "It was not good against the Rangers. It's nice for [Devils fans] to be able to enjoy this win."
Devils' Parise stays ... for now
January 31
New York Post
 
"Sources say inquiring general managers are getting the word Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is not dealing unrestricted free agent-to-be Zach Parise before the NHL's Feb. 27 trade deadline. Instead, it is thought if the Devils do not want to re-sign Parise in June, they'll trade his rights to a team that wants an advance shot at negotiations before he becomes free July 1. The advance payments the Devils are receiving from the NHL do nothing to enhance the team's attractiveness for a player preparing to sign a deal for the rest of his career. The financial news was about all that came out of All-Star weekend regarding the Devils, who had no representatives at the skills competition or Sunday's"
Back to the real NHL games
January 30
Ottawa Sun
 columnist Chris Stevenson
"The days at the beach, as tweeted by Capitals defenceman Mike Green from the Cayman Islands, are over. The neon tans from Las Vegas will now start to fade. The NHL's feel-good weekend here — a resounding success which revolved around the emotional outpouring between Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson and Senators fans — now becomes a fond memory. Ahead is a 30-game sausage grinder that is the rest of the NHL season. "You need the break whether you're here or somewhere else doing something different. This is a part of the season the guys really look forward to, just to recharge the battery," said Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul. "When you get back from this break, you're re-energized and you"
Chara's stars beat hometown hero Alfredsson
January 30
Ottawa Sun
 
"On his big day, Daniel Alfredsson surrounded himself with Swedes. But it was a bunch of Slovak buddies, led by New York Rangers winger Marian Gaborik, who drove Team Chara to a 12-9 victory over Team Alfredsson in front of 20,510 in the 57th NHL all-star game Sunday at Scotiabank Place. While former Senators defenceman Zdeno Chara scored the third-period winner, it was Gaborik, voted the game MVP, who led his club to victory with a hat trick and four-point effort as Team Chara walked away with the bragging rights. "You could see the guys wanted to win," said Chara when asked if he gave his team any instructions with the score tied 6-6 going into the third period. "I didn't have to say a"
Devils preparing for life after Martin Brodeur
January 29
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Even if Martin Brodeur returns to play another season for the Devils (and he is leaning that way), it does not change the need to find his successor. That is why the development of Scott Wedgewood, Keith Kinkaid, Jeff Frazee and Maxime Clermont is so important and being monitored so closely by management. Wedgewood, playing in the OHL for Plymouth, had a disappointing ending to the world junior championships when he was pulled from Canada's loss to Russia. He left with a sore neck, the result of a collision, after allowing four goals on 13 shots. If the 84th overall pick in the 2010 entry draft felt pressure losing that tournament in front of the home Canadian fans, wait until he"
NHL's lead pa$$ to debt-ridden club
January 29
New York Post
 
"The NHL is giving the Devils advances on some of their future income to help the team through its ownership battle, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said on the eve of today's All-Star Game. Daly and commissioner Gary Bettman insisted the NHL is not "subsidizing" the Devils with outright grants and loans. They did confess the league has accelerated disbursing upcoming fees such as TV revenue. "Just league distributions. Yeah. It's not atypical. It's not something we haven't done before on perhaps many occasions," Daly said. "Obviously there's something that has to resolve itself there on the ownership front, but I wouldn't be concerned about the finances of the club." Devils co-owner Ray"
Devils' finances not on agenda
January 28
New York Post
 
"The Devils' ownership situation remains unsolved and in limbo with the sale of part of the team not on the agenda for approval by the NHL Board of Governors here today. Instead, the Governors are expected to hear an overview of the Devils' financial situation, perhaps including the possible transfer of Ray Chambers' 47 percent stake in the team. Chambers was to pay $25 million to walk away from his share of the team. That unusual plan has not been okayed by the Governors, and its absence from today's agenda could be significant."
Who will win? Breaking down All-Star teams
January 27
NHL.com
 
"The draft is over, the rosters set for the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game. We now know who will be wearing the white jerseys for Team Alfredsson and the blue jerseys to represent Team Chara. Now it's time to take a look at the rosters and break them down by position. Look for our prediction at the end. FORWARDS Datsyuk and Malkin on the same team is a scary proposition for the opposition. They may be the two most skilled players in the NHL right now. As Chara said, you can put them on the same line and they can be unstoppable, or you can put them on separate lines and they'll still be dominant and "make the line." Team Alfredsson has a lot of talent, but it doesn't have two"
Devs may roll dice on Parise
January 26
New York Post
 
"The Devils have a month from tomorrow to trade their captain. At the All-Star break, the Zach Parise conundrum is their biggest issue. Johnny Oduya, Nicklas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier and a first-rounder is about what they could hope to receive for Parise and a defense prospect, since that's what the Devils gave up to rent Ilya Kovalchuk two years ago. The situations are comparable. Parise can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. If the Devils can't afford to sign him — guess $80 million over 10 years — in their desperate financial straits, they'll lose him for nothing."
Panthers head into break with 3-2 shootout loss to injury-depleted Flyers
January 25
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Panthers coach Kevin Dineen urged his players to leave it all out on the ice with the upcoming seven-day All-Star break looming. They heeded his words, but unfortunately the injury-decimated Flyers had their own ideas, and despite starting eight rookies were able to squeak out a 3-2 shootout victory Tuesday on a game-deciding goal by Claude Giroux that sent most of the 17,739 Panthers fans home feeling empty."
Devils fall in shootout, lose 2-1 to Sabres
January 25
New York Post
 
"This loss should haunt the Devils during the All-Star break they already started before the game began. The first team that couldn't beat the Sabres at home this winter, they will stew, winless in three, until next Tuesday's showdown with the Rangers. "We're not an elite team yet," Martin Brodeur said after the Devils fell 2-1 in a shootout to the Sabres in Newark. "We're middle of the pack. Gracious hosts for a Sabres squad that arrived with a team record 12 straight road losses, the Devils started off like a team that already started the All-Star break."
Devils lose to Flyers
January 22
New York Post
 
"The Devils' repeated failures are magnified now. When it mattered, when they were trying to climb into the ranks of the contenders, their season-long bugaboos haunted them, verifying they're not good enough to hang with the Big Boys. As they sought to measure up to two of the top teams in the East, their third period follies undid them, just as they have all season. They're going nowhere until they solve both issues. Their 4-1 loss to the Flyers in Newark yesterday, when they squandered six power plays, answered the quibble of whether they might have fared better against the Bruins if they'd had more than one power play Thursday, another 4-1 loss."
Devils trade for Alexei Ponikarovsky from Carolina Hurricanes
January 21
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Devils acquired left winger Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Carolina Hurricanes Friday night in a trade for minor-league defenseman Joe Sova and a fourth-round draft pick in 2012. Ponikarovsky, 31, has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) this season in 48 games. He is on a one-year contract for $1.5 million. The struggle by Swedish left winger Mattias Tedenby this season is one reason general manager Lou Lamoriello felt he needed to make the move. The Devils have rotated forwards on their third and fourth lines all season. "In my opinion, with the (lack of) depth of our forwards on the left side we needed size and strength," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "We had an"
NHL could loan cash-strapped Devils money for operating costs
January 21
New York Post
 
"The National Hockey League is in talks with the money-losing New Jersey Devils to advance the team money so that it can continue to operate through the season, The Post has learned. Under the NHL plan, Devils' controlling owner Jeffery Vanderbeek would continue to run the team while he pursues a long-term financing solution, sources said. "We can presume if the advance has not happened, it is going to happen soon," a source close to the team said. The Devils, which need to meet payroll twice a month until the regular season ends April 7, are weighing trading team captain Zach Parise for draft picks. Parise makes $6 million and his contract expires at the end of the year, a source said. A"
Devils swing 'big' deal
January 21
New York Post
 
"This deal should be a steal of a rental for the Devils. Last night, they acquired 6-foot-4 winger Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Hurricanes for Albany defenseman Joe Sova and a 2012 fourth-round pick. "He's got hockey sense. He knows how to play the game," general manager Lou Lamoriello said, marveling at his fortune. "And he's 6-4. "This player is going to help our team." Lamoriello said there is a chance Ponikarovsky could be in the Devils' lineup this afternoon when the Flyers visit the Prudential Center. The 31-year-old played for Carolina in Raleigh last night. Ponikarovsky is eligible for unrestricted free agency July 1, and is earning $1.5 million this season. He has had four 20-goal"
Parise hopes Devils won't cut payroll
January 21
New York Post
 
"Devils captain Zach Parise, the NHL's most-coveted trade deadline "rental" candidate, said he hopes the team doesn't go down the payroll-cutting road if the league advances Jeff Vanderbeek's ownership group with an infusion of money, as reported in The Post's Business section today. "You hear about teams that, no matter what, they're not going to spend to the cap," Parise told The Post. "That's just the way they are. "It's hard to be competitive if you're not going to, if you can't spend as much as these other teams. "So if there's a change, you hope that part won't change, because we've always been a salary cap team.""
Canes deal Ponikarovsky, get draft pick
January 21
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"The NHL trade deadline is still a month away, but the Carolina Hurricanes picked up a draft pick and cleared one of their expiring contracts off the books Friday night. After a 3-0 win over the Washington Capitals, the Canes traded forward Alexei Ponikarovsky to the New Jersey Devils for a fourth-round draft pick in 2012 and minor-league defenseman Joe Sova. Sova, 23, has split time between the AHL and ECHL this season. The Devils signed the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Illinois native as a free agent in 2011 after three years at Alaska-Fairbanks. The Canes signed Ponikarovsky to a one-year, $1.5 million contract over the summer. He had seven goals and eight assists in 49 games for the Hurricanes."
Bruins finally find their game
January 20
Boston Herald
 
"When the Bruins headed south for their four-game road trip, their third-period magic somehow vanished, with late goals dooming them in losses to struggling teams in Carolina and Tampa Bay. But as they headed back north last night, that old mojo came back with a vengeance. The B's shook off two subpar periods and exploded for three goals in the first 7:45 of the third period to beat the New Jersey Devils, 4-1, at the Prudential Center."
Devils fall to Bruins again
January 20
New York Post
 
"The Devils still aren't ready for crunch time. They keep finding themselves wanting — wanting a way to stop collapsing in the third period and wanting a way to win the big ones against the best teams. The Devils fell well short again when measuring themselves against contenders, losing 4-1 to the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins last night in Newark. The Devils have been building themselves up just to be beaten down by the NHL's elite, like moles at the arcade. A 4-1 trouncing by the rising Rangers last month snapped a four-game winning streak and trashed their budding self-esteem. A 6-1 rout by the Bruins 16 days ago utterly humbled them."
Devils have something to prove
January 19
New York Post
 
"Even the Devils themselves are largely unaware of how good they have been lately. That Jan. 4 massacre by the Bruins has kept them correctly humble. But even counting that 6-1 slaughter, the Devils are 14-5-1 in their last 20, better, slightly, than the Stanley Cup champions' 14-6 record in their last 20 games. So it's with a thirst for revenge and the desire to claim a place among the contenders that the Devils face the Bruins tonight. They are emphasizing, not diminishing, what this game means. Put up or sit down. "If we want to be part of that group, we have to prove it [tonight]," captain Zach Parise told The Post."
Fuhgeddaboudit... Jets whacked in New Jersey
January 18
Winnipeg Free Press
 
"Some characteristics of the Winnipeg Jets that have become evident during their rebirth, now 46 games old: -- They are a solid, occasionally dominant home squad, often lifted up by the rabid fans at the MTS Centre; -- They struggle on the road with a 7-12-4 record outside of Manitoba; -- When it comes to sequels -- the second of back-to-back contests in as many nights -- they absolutely, positively stink. Buoyed by their work in a 2-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators Monday night, the Jets followed up with an atrocious performance less than 24 hours later in a 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils in front of an announced crowd of 14,129 at the Prudential Center."
Stinky sequels
January 18
Winnipeg Free Press
 
"It can't be a good feeling for a goaltender to watch a game he started from the bench after being yanked. But those two perspectives -- from the goal and on the bench -- can give a guy a decent vantage point from which to decipher what went wrong. Welcome to Chris Mason's nightmare Tuesday night, as the Winnipeg Jet netminder was pulled after being abandoned in a 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils that exposed some disturbing flaws. He surrendered four goals on 15 shots before being replaced by Ondrej Pavelec, but was willing to face the media and sift through the wreckage afterwards for answers."
Devils cruise to 5-1 victory over Jets
January 18
Winnipeg Free Press
 
"Some characteristics of the Winnipeg Jets that have become evident during their rebirth, now 46 games old: They are a solid/occasionally dominant home squad, often lifted up by the rabid fans at the MTS Centre; They struggle on the road with a 7-12-4 record outside of Manitoba; When it comes to sequels — the second of back-to-back contests in as many nights — they absolutely, positively stink. Buoyed by their work in a 2-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators Monday night, the Jets followed up with an atrocious performance less than 24 hours later in a 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils in front of an announced crowd of 14,129 at the Prudential Center."
Brodeur cools Jets in Devils' easy win
January 18
New York Post
 
"Perfection and only one puck narrowly eluded the NHL's shutout king last night. Martin Brodeur backed up his declaration in Tuesday's Post that he is leaning toward coming back next season. In the end, the NHL's victory emperor said he was pleased enough with recording win No. 637, the Devils' 5-1 stomping of the Jets in Newark last night. [The shutout] doesn't matter," Brodeur said. "A win's a win. "Shutouts are shutouts. I've got plenty of those. We just want to get wins." This is, however, the latest Brodeur ever has gone in a season without a perfect game. Then again, he waited until November for his first victory this season, and he now stands 8-2-1 in his last 11 decisions."
Devils try to become 'Rock' solid at home
January 18
New York Post
 
"The Devils have climbed to respectability. Now a six-game homestand can be their ticket to the ranks of the contenders. "We have to take advantage of home ice, but more importantly, we have to play the right way," said Patrik Elias, who led the Devils with 41 points before they played host to the Jets last night at the Prudential Center. Elias was to receive his NHL Milestone award last night for playing his 1,000th game, all with New Jersey. He reached that milestone on Jan. 6. Elias said he'd prefer the Devils avoid playing differently at home, where they stood 11-7-1, than they do on the road (14-10-1)."
Devils' goalie Brodeur likely to return
January 17
New York Post
 
"Cancel that retirement party. The NHL's winningest-ever goalie told The Post yesterday he is now leaning toward playing as a 40-year-old next year. "I'm having fun," said Martin Brodeur, expected to be in goal for the Devils tonight when the Jets visit Prudential Center. "I feel differently about it now than I did last summer, or at the start of the season," Brodeur said. "It's not 100 percent, but I'm definitely leaning toward coming back next year." The possibility of a lockout next season could muddle his plans, but Brodeur previously insisted he was undecided about playing after his contract ($5.2 million) ends this season."
Devils return Palmieri to minor league team
January 17
New York Post
 
"The Devils returned RW Nick Palmieri to their Albany farm team Monday after he accompanied the team on its four-game road trip. Palmieri went without a point in the 3-1 road trip, which had victories in Pittsburgh, Edmonton and Winnipeg, and a loss in Calgary."
Adam Henrique says he expects to play in Winnipeg
January 14
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"It was a little more than just a rest, but Devils rookie center Adam Henrique says he will play Saturday afternoon against the Winnipeg Jets. Henrique sat out practice today at the MTS Centre. "Just getting some rest. Just an extra day," Henrique reported. "It doesn't seem like we've gad too many off days. Just resting." He said it had nothing to do with being hit in the foot by a shot or his fight with Jarome Iginla in Calgary. "I would expect him to play. That's what I'm thinking now," Devils coach Pete DeBoer said. "It was a maintenance day today. He's a little banged up and he's played a lot of minutes and had a lot of ice time. We gave him the day off today and see how he feels"
Parise: Devils deserve to have a player in All-Star Game
January 14
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Devils captain Zach Parise feels someone from the team should be playing in the Jan. 29 All-Star Game in Ottawa. While he acknowledged that it is good rookies Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson were chosen to take part in the SuperSkills competition on Jan. 28, it seemed like a snub from the league not to pick any players for the actual game. "Yea. I was kind of surprised, actually, that there was no one," Parise said today. "We've got a few guys I thought who were definitely worthy of it. I guess they (the NHL) thought differently. "I think we're doing pretty well (as a team). I don't know what position we are in the Eastern Conference, but I thought at least we had a couple guys worthy of"
Devils' $80M debt woe is looking tough to ice
January 13
New York Post
 
"Jeff Vanderbeek's long-simmering $80 million problem appears ready to boil over. His New Jersey Devils hockey team is months late on an $80 million debt payment to lenders and is looking for a balance-sheet miracle — that is, the securitization of its long-term TV deal with the MSG Network, a move that Vanderbeek hopes will raise exactly that much cash. But two sources close to the situation say it appears the money-losing franchise, which has been shopping the deal with the help of Goldman Sachs since at least November, is having trouble getting the deal done."
NHL names remainder of All-Star Game roster
January 12
NHL.com
 
"The Vancouver Canucks, who started the day with the best record in the Western Conference, also lead in another category -- most players added to the All-Star Game. Four members of the Canucks were among the 36 veterans and 12 rookies announced by the NHL for the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game, to be played Jan. 29 in Ottawa. Players from all 30 teams will be represented at the game, with four members of the Canucks added to the pool of players Thursday -- forwards Henrik and Daniel Sedin, defenseman Alexander Edler and forward Cody Hodgson, who was one of the dozen rookies selected to play in the game and the 2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Skills Competition, to be held Jan. 28."