Welcoming new faces to the Devils

Hello.  My name is Tony (just kidding, my real name is Down Goes Avery).  This might be your first time visiting this site, or you may have followed along over the past three seasons when I used to blog regularly.  I have returned from my blogging hibernation, at least for now to bring you a look at some of the new faces on the Devils, and a glimpse at their transition from last season to this season.  We'll see how this goes and maybe I'll even do another post in the near future.  Thanks for stopping by!



NorthJersey.com
Every time I see a picture of Jagr in a Devils jersey, I think "uh, yep, that's photoshopped."
When I realize I'm wrong, I then wonder why this couldn't have happened 10 years ago.

Cory Schneider

CBS New York

Previous team: Vancouver Canucks

How he was acquired: Stolen Trade from Canucks

Transition to the Devils: Has essentially gone from backing up a well-known goalie from Montreal in Vancouver to backing up an even better known goalie from Montreal in New Jersey.

Season forecast: Will likely spend the season wondering why Devils players don't cringe every time someone says the word "playoffs."



Damien Brunner

Previous team: Detroit Red Wings

Yahoo Sports

How he was acquired: Signed from tryout

Transition to the Devils: Goes from the team with the most playoff success over the last 20 years in the Western Conference to the team with the most playoff success over the last 20 years in the Eastern Conference.

Season forecast: Will perform well, and will enjoy city life this year more than last year, now being in Newark.



Rostislav Olesz

Sport Aktuane

Previous team: Chicago Blackhawks/AHL

How he was acquired: Signed through free agency

Transition to the Devils: Once again coached by Pete DeBoer, as he was in Florida, becoming the 349th (a lot) player to come to the Devils after previously playing for DeBoer.

Season forecast: Is almost guaranteed to be at least the fourth best Czech-born player on the Devils this season.

PREVIEW: #5 Flyers vs. #6 Devils - Eastern Conference Semifinals

Seriously, how could I not make this the cover picture for the series?

Here’s the beauty of the playoffs: both the Devils and the Flyers are coming off emotional, physical and at times crazy series (for many different reasons), but it’s time to quickly forget the past and get ready for the next series.  Of course, these two division rivals know each other very well, and they’re about to get even more familiar with each other.  It’s the #5 Flyers and the #6 Devils, and the winner will reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

First of all, let’s quickly recap what happened between the Devils and Panthers.  Many people thought this would be a quick series and that the more skilled Devils would blow by the Panthers.  I picked the Devils to win in 5, but everyone who knows either team knew that it would be a tough series, and it was just that.  The Florida Panthers’ first trip to the playoffs since 2000 was a very competitive series.  They gave the Devils everything they could handle, and were one goal in double-overtime of Game 7 away from knocking off the Devils.

The Devils played one of the best periods of hockey you’ll ever see in Game 1 against Florida.  They scored three times, had 26 shots on goal and established themselves as a true force in the series.  While they didn’t score after the first period of Game 1, they held on to win 3-2 and took the lead in the series.  They played a bit of a lackadaisical Game 2 until the third period, when they attempted to overcome a 3-0 deficit with two quick goals early in the third, but fell short, 4-2.