The First Wave

Just as I had guessed the other day, today the Devils made their first round of training camp cuts, sending 5 players back to their junior teams and sending 14 players to Albany.

The 5 players returned to juniors are:

G Scott Wedgewood–Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
D Reece Scarlett–Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
F J.T. Barnett–Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
F Reid Boucher–Sarnia Sting (OHL)
F Thomas Nesbitt–Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

The 14 players sent to Albany:

G Maxime Clermont
D Brandon Burlon
D Eric Gelinas
D Dan Kelly
D Joe Sova
D Harry Young
F J.S. Berube
F Mike Hoeffel
F Kory Nagy
F Nathan Perkovich
F Mike Sislo
F Myles Stoesz
F Joseph Whitney
F Darcy Zajac

All but 3 of the first round cuts played at least one game for Albany last season. Gelinas is a 2009 2nd round pick who spent last season with Saint John in the QMJHL. Burlon is a 2008 2nd rounder from the University of Michigan. Whitney was signed as a free agent after completing a four year career at Boston College.

Before the Rangers beat the Devils 4-3 at the Rock last night in the second preseason game, the first AHL scrimmage between the two teams played out yesterday afternoon in Newark. The Rangers pulled it out 5-4 in overtime thanks to a game winner just 16 seconds into the extra frame. Darcy Zajac tied the game at 4 with 25 seconds left in regulation. J.T. Barnett, J.S. Berube and Nathan Perkovich also scored. Maxime Clermont and Scott Wedgewood split time in goal, with Clermont taking the loss.

The parent Devils play the Islanders in Long Island tonight in their third preseason tuneup, with Johan Hedberg expected to play the full game. After tonight, New Jersey does not play again till Thursday against the Flyers, while Albany plays their first preseason tuneup on Tuesday night in Connecticut against the Whale. Since there’s only one goalie on the list, I would expect a second one to come down by Tuesday unless there’s another one coming to the Albany camp.

Hard to believe we’re only 2 weeks away from Opening Night…things are about to start picking up!