Fantasy Season in Review: New Jersey Devils

Offensive Corps:

Ilya Kovalchuk’s arrival to the Devils brought another point-per-game type of player to a team already boasting a powerful fantasy left winger in Zach Parise.  Kovalchuk proceeded to score 27 points in 27 games as he worked towards gelling better with his new teammates.

While Parise, with 82 points, saw a drop from his 94-point season in 2008-09 much of that was to be expected given the arrival of Kovalchuk.

Travis Zajac, however, boasted a career-best 67 points and 21 powerplay points while centering the top line.  Jamie Langenbrunner still maintained reliable production with 61 points but a guy having his highest two career point totals at age 34 and 35 is highly out of the ordinary.  Patrik Elias maintained his reputation as an injury prone dual-position player with decent production (48 points in 58 games) when he does play but age may be catching up to him.

Defensive Corps:

Andy Greene had his breakout campaign with 37 points in 78 games – 15 of those points coming on the powerplay – but be careful how you value the undrafted defenseman for 2010-11.  The only other fantasy-relevant defenseman was Paul Martin, who bolted for Pittsburgh, with 11 points in 22 games after an injury shortened season.

Goaltending Situation:

Martin Brodeur delivered another solid season filled with milestones as he nears the end of his career with a 45-25-6 2.24 GAA and 9 SO.  While falling off the wagon around the time of the Winter Olympics in February, it should be noted that Brodeur finished the season in March and April 11-5-3 with a 2.00 GAA and 2 SO.

On the Bench:

Jacques Lemaire and his defensive focus is out after only a one year stint with the team.

The Bottom Line:

The Devils still offer productive fantasy options at forward after the dominant Parise and Kovalchuk, while Zajac successfully built on a great 2008-09 campaign.  It still appears that Martin Brodeur has enough left in the tank to keep the Devils, and your fantasy team, a contender.