New Jersey Devils

The 28-19-3 New Jersey Devils have a big offseason ahead of them, highlighted by the impending free agency of captain Zach Parise.

They'll also need to make a crucial decision in regards to the future of cornerstone, veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur, who has seen his production drop this season.

While it's still too early to tell exactly what type of moves New Jersey will make, there are obvious positions that need to be addressed, and some names out there who can fill the void.

In a move to help add depth, the New Jersey Devils have acquired forward Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Carolina Hurricanes for minor league defenseman Joseph Sova and a 2012 fourth-round draft pick, according to tsn.ca.

Patrik Elias played in his 1,000th career NHL game on Friday night, all spent with the New Jersey Devils.

If I were to tell you before the start of the season that Adam Henrique was going to make a case to win the Calder Memorial Trophy, as the NHL's most outstanding rookie, you would have looked at me as if I had drunk too much of Lou Lamoriello's famous Kool-Aid.

They certainly look different, but is it real?

The new-look Devils are taking to the ice in what can be described as a late blooming of sorts. The return of Travis Zajac and the emergence of a couple rookies has fueled the surge lately.

The question will now turn to the reality of this team. They have a few wins, and that is the goal, after all, but can they continue? And if so, how do they do it?

On the night when former defenseman Scott Niedermayer's No. 27 was forever raised to the rafters in retirement, the current crop of New Jersey Devils did their part in defeating the Dallas Stars, 6-3, at the Prudential Center in Newark on Friday.

On Friday night, New Jersey Devils center Travis Zajac will make his 2011-12 season debut against the Dallas Stars. Zajac suffered an Achilles tendon injury while working out in the offseason and is finally ready to go after surgery and rehabilitation.

Last Saturday, the Albany Devils suffered their second straight loss, but the losing streak did not last long, as they were able to bounce right back in their next two games.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov is in his second season in Newark. He joined the Devils last season after spending seven seasons with the Ottawa Senators, the team that drafted him in the first round in 2000.

New Jersey Devils rookie defenseman Adam Larsson, drafted fourth overall this summer, has proven to be a pleasant surprise on the blue line in Newark this fall.