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1999-2000 Stat Leaders Stat  Leader  No.  Goals  Patrik Elias  35  Assists  Scott Gomez  51  Points  Patrik Elias  72  +/-  Scott Stevens  30  Shots  Bobby Holik  257  Ice Time (F)  Claude Lemeiux  17:54  Ice Time (D)  Scott Niedermayer  24:20  Faceoff Pct.  Bobby Holik  55.61  Hits  Jason Arnott  194  PP Pts  Scott Gomez  27   SH Pts  John Madden  6

What did Jimmy Hoffa and the Devils have in common on March 23, 2000? Some people believed both were dead and buried in the New Jersey swamps. The day Robbie Ftorek was sacked (perhaps eight days earlier would have been more appropriate), Larry "I signed on as an assistant for a reason" Robinson took over behind the bench. Many wondered why. After all, the Devils were leading the Atlantic Division at the time and, with only eight games remaining, were a playoff lock, albeit a playoff lock in a funk. But Lou Lamoriello didn't like seeing a 5-10-2 stretch.

Robinson's Devils stormed through the playoffs with paralyzing defensive performances against the Panthers (Pavel? Hello? Pavel?) and Maple Leafs (six shots in the final game of the series), and then authored a destiny's-on-your-side comeback win over the Flyers in the Eastern Conference finals. It earned New Jersey the chance to dethrone Dallas in the kind of Stanley Cup finals series that helps hockey fans forget about all that ails the game.

For more on the Devils, bookmark this page and check back Wednesday, Oct. 11 for a Sports Illustrated Scouting Report.

BRIGHT SPOTS		GRAY AREAS
Perhaps the best management team in the NHL, thanks in large part to GM Lou Lamoriello. Both Lamoriello and head coach Larry Robinson return. Under Robinson, the Devils have to believe their system works. New ownership team -- George Steinbrenner's YankeeNets -- has deep pockets. They're the Stanley Cup champions, for goodness' sakes, with depth, speed, a great goaltender and respected coach.		Stanley Cup hangovers are always a possibility. As are sophomore slumps in the case of Scott Gomez, John Madden, Brian Rafalski and Colin White. Here's hoping Mr. Steinbrenner doesn't want to play too often in Mr. Robinson's neighborhood. No. 1 center and Stanley Cup Game 6 hero Jason Arnott is unsigned and unhappy. So is slick-skating defenseman Scott Niedermayer. The latter, though, has recently made it known that he is willing to bend. Jason Arnott-Patrik Elias-Petr Sykora (if reunited) line is no longer a secret. Devils have yet to win a Cup without Claude Lemieux.

Comings
Player	Pos.	From	Via
Mike Commodore	D	N. Dakota (NCAA)	Free agent
Chirs Ferraro	C	N.Y. Islanders	Free agent
Frederic Henry	D	New Jersey	Re-signed
Jim McKenzie	LW	Washington	Free agent
Sergei Nemchinov	C	New Jersey	Re-signed
Jay Pandolfo	LW	New Jersey	Re-signed
Richard Rochefort	C	New Jersey	Re-signed
Robert Skrlac	LW	New Jersey	Re-signed
Turner Stevenson	RW	Columbus	Trade
Chris Terreri	G	Minnesota	Trade
Colin White	D	New Jersey	Re-signed

Goings
Player	Pos.	To	Via
Brad Bombardir	D	Minnesota	Trade
Steve Brule	C	Detroit	Free agent
Vladimir Malakhov	D	N.Y. Rangers	Free agent
Steve Staios	RW	New Jersey	Trade
Mike Van Ryn	D	St. Louis	Free agent
Jeff Williams	F	Columbus	Expansion

Prospect Watch
Pierre Dagenais, LW, 6' 4", 210
Born: March 4, 1978 in Blainville, Quebec
Acquired: Free agent, 2000
If you want to hurry up and play in the NHL, you hope not to be drafted by the Devils. Only two players on last season's roster skipped from "Devils prospect" to the big club without spending time in the minors: Scott Gomez and Scott Niedermayer. So don't expect too much turnover from last season. There are one or two openings on the blue line until Niedermayer comes to terms -- most likely the holes will be filled on a platoon basis by some combination of Willie Mitchell, Sasha Goc and Ken Sutton -- but the forward lineup is pretty solid. Just don't forget the name of Dagenais, who led the River Rats with 35 goals in 80 games in 1999-2000.

Get the Highlighter
Friday, Oct. 6 vs. Montreal. Opening night for the Cup champs. Think they'll sell out this one?
Wednesday, Nov. 1 vs. Philadelphia. Re-live the Eastern Conference finals through this grudge match.
Wednesday, Dec. 20 vs. Dallas. The Cup runners-up come to town a few days before Christmas.

Quoteworthy
"There is so much to prove from last year. That's the fun thing about trying to repeat. We have to prove it, not only to ourselves, but everyone in the world. I don't want to look too far ahead, but we all want to prove that wasn't a fluke last year.
—Scott Gomez

Team-by-team previews compiled by CNNSI.com's Ken Klavon, Jamie MacDonald and Jimmy Traina.

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