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The New Jersey Devils have managed to miss the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, defying the statistical odds in the process. Duncan Keith Jersey . Off-Season Game Plan looks at a Devils team that is likely due for better results, and at least part of that is due to the impending departure of a future Hall of Famer. This past season, the Devils ranked fifth in Fenwick Close (unblocked 5-on-5 shot attempts when the game is within a goal through two periods, or tied in the third), after they were ranked third the year before. The most glaring reason for a team to not have success despite strong puck possession metrics is a bad run with percentages and thats been true with the Devils. This past season, the most obvious run of bad luck for New Jersey was a 0-13 record in shootouts, games that are being decided, effectively, by coin flips. For a team that finished five points out of a playoff spot, even getting 40% of those 13 points would have been enough. The Devils were 2-7 in 2012-2013, too, running their two-year record to 2-20! This after going 12-4 in the shootout in 2011-2012. Those results fluctuate. But, its not just a bad run on shootout winning percentage that has come back to get the Devils. Theyve also had subpar goaltending. Over the past four years, the Devils 5-on-5 save percentage ranks 28th. In 2013-2014, the Devils overall save percentage of .907 ranked 23rd in the league, a step up from being ranked 28th with an .890 save percentage, the year before. These percentages, combined with the bad run in shootouts serve to undermine what is, otherwise, a competitive hockey team. Not likely a Cup contender, their 2012 Cup Final appearance notwithstanding, but good enough to be a playoff team if the percentages arent dramatically awful. This goes back to the premise that the Devils may be looking better in that regard going forward, as it appears Martin Brodeurs run in New Jersey is coming to an end. A four-time Vezina Trophy winner who has won more games (688) and recorded more shutouts (124) than any other goaltender, Brodeur is 42-years-old and the numbers tell the story -- hes no longer a starting-calibre goaltender, so if the Devils move ahead with Cory Schneider handling a true starters workload, that alone will already improve their chances of success. This isnt to suggest that everything will be fine once Brodeur moves on, because thats not the case. The Devils two best offensive players, Jaromir Jagr and Patrik Elias, are also getting on in years and there dont appear to be any heir apparents among New Jerseys prospects, so while the current Devils roster appears good enough to compete for a playoff spot, there is a ceiling on how good they can realistically expect to be. The TSN.ca Rating is an efficiency rating based on per-game statistics including goals and assists -- weighted for strength (ie. power play, even, shorthanded) -- Corsi, adjusted for zone starts, quality of competition and quality of teammates, hits, blocked shots, penalty differential and faceoffs. Generally, a replacement-level player is around a 60, a top six forward and top four defenceman will be around 70, stars will be over 80 and MVP candidates could go over 90. Sidney Crosby finished at the top of the 2013-2014 regular season ratings at 87.12. Salary cap information all comes from the indispensable www.capgeek.com. CF% = Corsi percentage (ie. percentage of 5-on-5 shot attempts), via www.extraskater.com. GM/COACH Lou Lamoriello/Peter DeBoer Returning Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Cap Hit Jaromir Jagr 75.69 82 24 43 67 59.2% $3.5M Patrik Elias 73.73 65 18 35 53 54.6% $5.5M Travis Zajac 70.78 80 18 30 48 58.5% $5.75M Adam Henrique 70.16 77 25 18 43 52.9% $4.0M Ryane Clowe 68.64 43 7 19 26 51.8% $4.85M Michael Ryder 65.92 82 18 16 34 53.3% $3.5M Damien Brunner 63.77 60 11 14 25 53.3% $2.5M Dainius Zubrus 63.37 82 13 13 26 54.1% $3.1M Tuomo Ruutu 61.70 76 8 16 24 52.3% $3.8M Free Agent Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Class 13-14 Cap Hit Ryan Carter 59.35 62 7 3 10 51.3% UFA $775K Stephen Gionta 59.15 66 4 7 11 49.9% UFA $563K Steve Bernier 58.43 78 3 9 12 53.0% UFA $775K Jacob Josefson 55.66 27 1 2 3 50.0% RFA $725K At 42-years-old, Jaromir Jagr scored his most points in the NHL since 2007-2008. Hes lost a step, maybe two, but hes still a massive physical presence who can control the puck in the offensive zone. The Devils are also smart enough to utilize Jagr properly, focusing his attention on the offensive side of the game. Consistency is the hallmark of Patrik Eliass game, even as he hits his late thirties. Hes one of 10 players to have at least .70 points per game in every season since 2005-2006. Naturally, hes no longer at his peak but, at 38-years-old, Elias remains a reliable two-way player. Further removed from his Achilles injury, Travis Zajac had a more productive offensive season, though hes tended towards being a stronger two-way player than a typical first-line scoring centre. Even so, he still rates pretty well in terms of goal differential, on for 56.0% of 5-on-5 goals over the past six seasons. Not the most likely candidate to lead the Devils in goal-scoring last season, Adam Henrique doesnt generate that many shots. Among the 51 players to score at least 25 goals last season, two (Steven Stamkos and Valtteri Filppula) had fewer shots on goal than Henrique. The Devils have committed long-term to Zajac and Henrique down the middle and thats okay, but that pair might also come with a lower ceiling than other teams top-two centres. Power forward Ryane Clowe, signed last summer as an effective replacement for David Clarkson, has scored 10 goals in 83 games over the past two seasons, but he was still effective enough when healthy. The trouble is that health tends to go quickly for power forwards on the wrong side of 30, so health likely remains a risk going forward. Michael Ryder has scored at least 18 goals in five of the past six seasons (scoring 16 in the lockout-shortened season), but last years 34 points in 82 games represented the second-lowest scoring rate of his career. At 34, hes in decline, but has one year left on his contract, so its not as though the Devils are invested long-term; they can still hope that Ryder has enough left to give them 20 goals next season. Even after a decent rookie season, Damien Brunner had a bit of a hard time finding a contract last summer before ending up with the Devils. While hes counted on to provide complementary offence, two goals in his last 27 games didnt exactly fulfill that expectation. Hes skilled enough to complement skilled players, but does not appear be strong enough to drive play in his own right. 35-year-old Dainius Zubrus is a trusted soldier, who was often tasked with difficult checking assignments last season. Hes versatile enough to get moved around the lineup as needed. Acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes, veteran Tuomo Ruutu was very effective in New Jersey. He had a modest eight points in 19 games, but was also on the ice for more than 58% of the shots during 5-on-5 play. Ruutus body has taken a beating over the course of his career, and isnt too fleet afoot, but that seemed to work out all right while playing with Jagr, as they could use their power game to dominate possession. There are enough returning forwards that the Devils could press ahead with that top nine and replace (or re-sign) fourth-line free agents, but it wouldnt hurt to add another quality forward to the mix. Maybe someone like Devin Setoguchi or a return of Brian Gionta could work. Returning Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Cap Hit Andy Greene 69.64 82 8 24 32 56.3% $3.0M Anton Volchenkov 61.18 56 0 8 8 55.0% $4.25M Jon Merrill 60.83 52 2 9 11 53.6% $840K Peter Harrold 59.61 33 0 4 4 54.7% $800K Bryce Salvador 58.14 40 1 3 4 50.4% $3.167M Free Agent Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Class 13-14 Cap Hit Marek Zidlicky 70.26 81 12 30 42 53.3% UFA $3.0M Eric Gelinas 68.09 60 7 22 29 53.1% RFA $660K Mark Fayne 62.42 72 4 7 11 55.3% UFA $1.3M Adam Larsson 59.75 26 1 2 3 55.5% RFA $925K Hes on the small side as defencemen go, but Andy Greene has played every game in the past two seasons, playing big minutes, and has been very effective under difficult circumstances. Hes not a prototype No. 1 defenceman, but thats the role Greene fills for the Devils. There was a time when Anton Volchenkov hurled his body in front of every shot attempt, consistently ranking among the leagues blocked shot leaders -- topping out at 273 in 2006-2007 -- but those were days when he was playing 21 minutes per game, facing tough opposition. Now, Volchenkov is logging 16 minutes a game, facing relatively easy assignments. The question for the Devils to answer is whether or not its worth taking a $4.25-million cap hit for the next two seasons on a defenceman who doesnt play very much. A second-round pick in 2010, Jon Merrill didnt spent long in the AHL (27 games, scoring 18 points) before landing in New Jersey and he played well as a rookie. Not a standout, and not the kind of offensive contributions that he had in Albany or at the University of Michigan, but Merrill has the size and skating ability to find himself in a top-four role. Peter Harrold is a utility man, filling in wherever hes needed and even providing solid possession stats, but hes played 86 NHL games over the past four seasons. Bryce Salvador was a playoff hero in 2012 and while he continues to play 20 minutes a night, when healthy (he missed 42 games with injuries last season), hes been on the wrong end of the possession game. Hes 38-years-old, so it would be reasonable to cut back on his playing time. He can round out his game to earn the trust of the coaching staff, but theres no denying the impact that Eric Gelinas can have on the power play, as he scored 17 of his 29 points with the man advantage. The fourth overall pick in 2011, Adam Larsson hasnt been able to secure a regular spot in the lineup, with his ice time decreasing over the course of his three pro seasons. If hes not going to be part of the Devils plans next season, the 21-year-old is young enough that he would have value on the trade market. While Mark Fayne is an underrated defender that the Devils may lose to free agency, there could also be some appeal for the Devils to go after a veteran defenceman like Dan Boyle, Anton Stralman or Tom Gilbert to stabilize their top four. Returning Goaltender Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Cap Hit Cory Schneider 65.79 45 16 15 12 1.97 .921 $4.0M Free Agent Goaltender Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Class 13-14 Cap Hit Martin Brodeur 58.79 39 19 14 6 2.51 .901 UFA $4.5M When Cory Schneider was acquired from Vancouver at last summers draft, there may have been some expectation that he would be the Devils starting goaltender, but he barely played more than Martin Brodeur, despite having a .921 save percentage compared to Brodeurs .901. Over the past five years, Schneiders .928 save percentage is near the best in the league and the Devils should probably see what he can do with 55-60 starts. On the other hand, Brodeurs game has declined in recent seasons, as one might expect from a now 42-year-old goaltender. Brodeur seems to be inclined to play next season and, strange as it sounds, it may not be in New Jersey. Top Prospects Player Pos. Team/League Stats Damon Severson D Kelowna (WCHL) 15-46-61, +47, 64 GP Steven Santini D Rochester (AHL) 3-8-11, +26, 35 GP Reid Boucher LW Albany (AHL) 22-16-38, -3, 56 GP Stefan Matteau C Albany (AHL) 13-13-26, +6, 67 GP Keith Kinkaid G Albany (AHL) 2.29 GAA, .912 SV%, 43 GP Reece Scarlett D Albany (AHL) 6-14-20, +11, 48 GP Blake Coleman C Miami (NCHC) 19-9-28, +8, 27 GP Ryan Kujawinski C Kingston (OHL) 423-18-41, +3, 45 GP Graham Black C Swift Current (WHL) 34-63-97, +18, 69 GP Blake Pietila LW Michigan Tech. (WCHA) 8-20-28, -4, 39 GP Alexander Urbom D Albany (AHL) 1-10-11, -3, 35 GP A defenceman with good size and mobility who was drafted in the second round of 2012, Damon Severson struggled early upon his return to the WHL, but got back on track, finishing the regular season with 30 points in his last 31 games before leading Kelowna in playoff scoring. Picked in the second round last summer, Steve Santini is a rock-solid physical defenceman who had a strong freshman year at Boston College. Doesnt have the puck skills of some other New Jersey defence prospects. Picked in the fourth round in 2011, Reid Boucher is a goal-scorer with a big shot and while he scored all right in the AHL, he managed two goals and seven points in 23 games with New Jersey in his first audition. Powerfully-built Stefan Matteau, a first-round pick in 2012, seems a safe bet to develop into an NHL player, but hasnt scored enough to project him to fit into top half of the depth chart when he does reach the NHL for keeps. Undrafted out of Union College, Keith Kinkaid has put in three seasons in the AHL, with last season the best of the three. While there might be an opportunity to step in as the backup to Schneider, it could require a leap of faith to pencil Kinkaid into that spot. A sixth-round pick in 2011, Reece Scarlett had a solid first pro season, at least when he was healthy, but was limited to 48 games in his first pro season. A good showing next year could put Scarlett into consideration for New Jersey. Texas native Blake Coleman didnt score much in his first two seasons at Miami-Ohio, but broke through for 19 goals and 28 points in 27 games as a junior. Surely the Devils would appreciate if he could build on that with a strong senior campaign. Drafted in the third round last summer, Ryan Kujawinski has good size and can score, but missed time with hand and knee injuries last season. The 19-year-old should have a big year in the OHL next season. A fifth-round pick in 2012, Graham Black had modest production in the WHL, until last season, when he burst through with 97 points in 69 games as an overager. Time for him to make the move to the AHL. Picked in the fifth round in 2011, Blake Pietila has been a solid, if unspectacular collegiate player at Michigan Tech. The 21-year-old needs a strong senior campaign if hes going to be considered a serious prospect. Alexander Urbom is huge and got into 20 games with the Washington Capitals, after he was claimed on waivers last season, but he returned to the Devils organization, remaining a viable depth option on the blueline. Devils advanced stats and player usage chart from Extra Skater DRAFT 30th - Brendan Lemieux, David Pastrnak, Adrian Kempe, Nikolai Goldobin. FREE AGENCY According to www.capgeek.com, the Devils have approximately $53.5M committed to the 2013-2014 salary cap for 15 players. Check out my possible Devils lineup for next season on Cap Geek here. Needs: One top nine forward, depth forwards, one top four defenceman, backup goaltender. What I said the Devils needed last year: Four top nine forwards, two top four defencemen, goaltendingThey added: Jaromir Jagr, Michael Ryder, Ryane Clowe, Damien Brunner, Rostislav Olesz, Cory Schneider. TRADE MARKET Damien Brunner, Michael Ryder, Anton Volchenkov, Bryce Salvador, Adam Larsson. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Chris Chelios Jersey .com) - Nino Williams posted 18 points and seven rebounds, as Kansas State edged No. Corey Crawford Jersey .Michael Briscoe is serving a life sentence for sexual assault, kidnapping and first-degree murder in the death of 13-year-old Nina Courtepatte in 2005. http://www.officialblackhawksfanstore.com/authentic-jeremy-roenick-blackhawks-jersey/ . PAUL, Minn – The clock lingered for what seemed like an interminable two minutes and 51 seconds before Mark Fraser finally escaped to the bench during a wildly one-sided first period of an eventual loss to Boston.WINNIPEG – James Reimer was hoping to reignite the Leafs goaltending competition with a start just outside his hometown of Morweena, Manitoba. It didnt go as planned. Reimer allowed two goals on the first four Winnipeg shots, the was pulled for the fifth time this season in an eventual overtime loss to the Jets. Afforded just his fourth start in the past 16 games, the 25-year-old was unable to snatch an opportunity toward reclaiming some part of his old no. 1 job, one that has become the tentative property of counterpart Jonathan Bernier. "Just a tough one," said a sullen Reimer after the 5-4 defeat, which concluded a four-game western road trip. "I felt my head was in the right place and sometimes things just dont go your way. And when theyre not going your way, its obviously harder mentally, but you have to find a way to stay focused and I felt that I did what I could to stay focused and ready and prepared and it just didnt happen." Trading starts with Bernier for the opening three months, Reimers season has gradually slid in the wrong direction, the unquestioned starter a year ago now the unofficial backup. Though he offered a sturdy start in Colorado earlier this week, that performance failed to translate into any semblance of momentum. Reimer gave up four goals in relief of Bernier in Dallas and was pegged for four more on just 19 shots in Winnipeg. He now owns an unflattering .870 save percentage in six appearances this month and a .911 mark on the season. "Its tough when you get in there and you dont have a good game," said Reimer. "It doesnt sit well." Seven minutes had not yet elapsed before the Jets had struck twice on the embattled netminder. Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler both snuck shots through the body of Reimer, one under the arm and another through the five-hole with the latter a partial power-play rush by the Jets winger and future US Olympian. "The first two goals were goals that I thought were scored in the middle of the net," said Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle. "Those are tough ones." It was at that point, down 2-0 on the road, that Carlyle considered pulling the seemingly nervous netminder, only to leave him in for a chance to fight back. And though Reimer managed to rebound in some respect, including a shorthanded stop on Michael Frolik, he was unable to close the door entirely, allowing two more goals in the middle frame. Bernier stepped in with 13 saves as the Leafs rallied from a 4-1 deficit, only to fall on Dustin Byfugliens overtime winner. Pocketing five of a possible eight points on the four-game swing, Toronto now sits third in the Atlantic division with 60 points. Five Points 1. Kessel in Winnipeg Winnipeg remains advantageous hunting ground for Phil Kessel. The 26-year-old knotted the score at 4-4 with less than two minutes to go in regulation, beating Ondrej Pavelec with his 27th goal of the season, an unlikely snipe from just above the goal-line. He has scored at least a goal in eight-straight games at the MTS Centre, totaling nine in that span. Kessel has 16 points in the past nine games overall and has vaulted to sixth in league scoring with 54 points in 54 games. 2. Sour Penalty Kill Yielding two more power-play goals to the Jets, the Toronto penalty kill fell deeper into whats become a year-long hole. The unit has allowed a bloated 13 goals over the past 15 games and sits as the second-worst in the NHL this season (76.8%.) "Weve found ways to leave people uncovered in that critical area," said Carlyle of the penalty kill. Wheeler scored the first of two power-play goals when he burst wide on Cody Franson, beating Reimer through the five-hole. Bryan Little added the second marker, redirecting a sneaky point pass from Tobias Enstrom. "We shouldve had coverage on that and we vacated that area," Carlyle said, noting a need to intercept the pass with aa stick in the lane. Patrick Kane Jersey. 3. Potent Power-play Countering the teams struggles on the penalty kill has been a continually productive power-play, one that ranks as the third-best in the NHL. Dion Phaneuf scored his first power-play goal of the season against the Jets, giving the Leafs at least one mark on the man advantage in eight of the past 11 games. Cody Franson, second on the team with 16 power-play points, detailed the different components of the top unit, which also includes Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak, and how theyve functioned to have success. "Obviously, [Phaneufs] got a big shot and teams are aware of that and they want to try and take that away. Phil can do so many things with the puck. Hes very deceptive. He makes guys think that hes going to pass and hell have that quick release shot. And its not a quick release where theres nothing on it – he can rip a puck. Theres that shot threat. I take pride in being able to shoot the puck, so hopefully thats something other teams are thinking about when Im out there. Youve got JVR in front. Hes one of the best at providing a screen and knocking pucks out of the air. Hes a guy that if teams are doing a good job on us, we can just throw it at the net and we know that hes going to be there whacking at rebounds or tipping pucks into goalies and making it tough on them." Franson calls Bozak the secret facilitator of the units success. "When teams are pressuring really quick, you usually need that quick out to try and get away from the pressure and make them back off and allow us to set up and Bozies probably the most important piece of that," explained Franson. "Hes the guy that controls the middle of the ice and has to make those reads in order to be in the right spot for the guys that are getting the puck in tight situations. He does a great job with that and it allows us to break away from pressure and allow us to set up and do what we want to do out there." 4. Career-High Dishing to Kessel on the game-tying goal, van Riemsdyk notched his 40th point of the season, matching a career-high he set with the Flyers in the 2010-11 season (78 games.) The 24-year-old required 51 games to meet the mark, on pace to set new career-highs in just about every offensive category. "Ever since I got here Ive been given an opportunity to play some key minutes and some key situations," said van Riemsdyk, who also screened Pavelec on the Phaneuf marker. "Ive always had the confidence in myself to be able to contribute when I knew I was getting the chance to do that." Sitting at 20 goals on the year, van Riemsdyk remains one off from matching another career-high (21.) 5. Rare Goal It had been quite awhile for Tim Gleason. Gleason scored the third Leaf goal on Saturday, his first since Dec. 18, 2011 in a string of 117 scoreless games. Not relied upon for his offence in any sense, the 30-year-old grinder has just 16 goals in 627 career games. Stats-Pack 2-1-1 – Record for the Leafs on four-game road trip. 4 – Starts for James Reimer in the past 16 games. 10-11-5 – Leafs road record this season. .870 – Save percentage for Reimer in the month of January. 5 – Players on the Toronto roster from the province of Manitoba. 29 – Career points for Phil Kessel in 28 games against the Jets. 40 – Points for James van Riemsdyk this season, matching a career-high. 13 – Power-play goals scored against the Leafs in the past 15 games. 117 – Games without a goal for Tim Gleason, who finally scored Saturday against the Jets. Special Teams Capsule PP: 1-5Season: 22.4% (3rd) PK: 1-3Season: 76.8% (29th) Quote of the Night "Its tough when you get in there and you dont have a good game. It doesnt sit well."-James Reimer, on a rough outing in Winnipeg. Up Next The Leafs host the Lighting on Tuesday night. 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