2005 New Jersey Devils Preview
Welcome to the 2005 New Jersey Devils Preview page. The NHL Hockey Season is around the corner and what better way to remind the public how exciting the NHL can be with a 2005 season preview from Maddux Sports. Remember if you are betting on NHL hockey look no further, as we are one of the few sports handicapping services that offers NHL picks against the hockey betting line and can help you be a winner this NHL betting season.
2005 Devils Hockey Season Preview
The question is will the retirement of Devil's Defenseman and Captain Scott Stevens affect the New Jersey hockey team? Stevens ended his 22-year NHL career by retiring just prior to the start of this year's training camp. In his 11 years in New Jersey he captained the team to three Stanley Cup Championships. However, Steven's departure will probably have little effect on a team that has managed to bring back one of the league's top defensemen, Scott Niedermayer.
In 2003-2004, the tough and resilient Niedermayer played 81 games and was the second ranked defenseman in the league with 40 assists and 54 points. Additional signings this year secured three solid veteran free agents-- Brian Rafalski, Vladimir Malakov, and Dan McGillis-- for the team.
Winger Alexander Mogilny, with over a dozen years in the pro ranks, also inked a deal with the Devils. He had his best season at Buffalo in 1992-1993 when he led the league in goals with 76. Considering his play over the past five years, if Mogilny can stay healthy he has the potential to score 35 to 40 goals and be a strong force on the Devils.
However two returning Devils, Patrik Elias, New Jersey's leading goal scorer in 2003-2004, and Martin Brodeur, one of the league's top goaltenders, may be the deciding factors in how well this team plays. If Brodeur can continue his dominant play in net and if Elias can score on the opposite end of the ice, the team from Jersey has a good chance of making it deep into the playoffs.
