HOCKEY'S HERE: THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS

The first hint of fall is in the air. It's getting dark earlier, and soon it will be too cold to spend Saturday nights sharing a 2-4 of Blue and listening to G 'n' R at the gravel pit. It's time to air out your gear, sharpen your skates and tape your stick -- it’s hockey season. Sure, your team flat-out ached last season, but there's hope, unless you're an Islanders fan. In that spirit, Out of Left Field is here with early looks at all 30 NHL teams. Presenting: The New Jersey Devils.

Last season: 101 points, 1st in Atlantic Division; lost to Carolina in second round
Coach: Claude Julien (1st season with team)
Young gun: Second-year forward Zach Parise
Store this name away: Travis Zajac
Hey, get a load of the new guys: Rookie d-man Matt Corrente, of Mississauga, is seeing his first pre-season action
Blogs (including but not limited to): Devils Due
Pop culture moment: Remember the Seinfeld episode when David Puddy painted his face during a Devils-Rangers playoff series? "Gotta support the team."

Lou's Kool-Aid, indeed -- how is it that GM Lou Lamoriello has all these players who are practising and playing in exhibition games despite not having contracts? Brian Gionta, the 48-goal man, doesn't have a contract, and neither does top-two defenceman Paul Martin or regulars David Hale, Scott Clemmensen and Mike Rupp, but all are in camp.

The Devils are hip-deep in salary-cap hell since big contracts to two non-performing assets, Vladimir (Maalox) Malakhov and Alexander Mogilny, remain on the books. Mogilny, the kind of guy who always gets described as "enigmatic," may have to quit due to a hip problem. So rumours are flying that Lamoriello may have to trade one of his veterans -- rumours surround veteran Sergei Brylin, among others -- before the season begins and find lower-salaried replacements.

Don't predict doom for New Jersey just. Lamoriello, shifty bastard that he is, will figure out something in the next 2½ weeks. You can probably see a parallel between this year's Devils and last season's Colorado Avalanche.

The Devils may have to shed some familiar faces, the lineup may be fairly anonymous, but they won't fall too far in the standings. Part of that will be coaching -- his resemblance to Bill Dauterive from King of the Hill notwithstanding, Julien is a good defensive coach and communicator, and that will keep the Devils going through a long 82-game season.

Also in Atlantic Division: New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins

Back with more later. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.