The New Jersey Devils have been difficult to get a read on this season.  They look spectacular on the road, sporting an 8-0 record, but, for the most part, look miserable at home going 3-4.

A closer look at the team reveals questions about certain players and whether or not they can continue to their hot starts or find their way out of the doldrums.

There's certainly no question about Zach Parise and Travis Zajac, who remain the team's top offensive players.  Parise continues on in style with 17 points through the first 15 games.  There's little doubt he has established himself as one of the top players in the game

Beyond that, it gets interesting.  David Clarkson has four goals and eight assists, far and away the best start he's ever had, perhaps, at any level.  Rookie Nicklas Bergfors has taken off after a slow start, especially with the man-advantage, picking up five of his nine points (including three goals) on the power play.  Bergfors now looks very comfortable at the NHL level.

Rob Niedermayer has been stellar as the team's swingman, moving all around the lines as the games dictate.

Then there are the lost members of the flock.  Brian Rolston still does not look like the player he was in Boston and Minnesota.  His play has picked up recently and his slap shot remains as powerful as ever, but he's yet to develop any kind of consistentcy in his second tour with the Devils.

Dainius Zubrus doesn't have much luck for a guy that works so hard.  His intensity on the forecheck and physical play has been as good as it ever has, but he doesn't have a lot to show for it.

The Devils do not get much offensive support from the back end, either.  In his fourth year, Andy Greene has stepped up and assumed the #1 role on the blue line.  He played a whopping 27 minutes and scored the game-winning goal on Saturday night against the Ottawa Senators.  Look for his maturation to continue.

That's about where it ends.  Paul Martin is out, but he wasn't contributing much when he was healthy.  Mike Mottau continues to receive a ton of ice time and has zero points.  Defensive stalwart Bryce Salvador is actually second on the blue line with three.  Offense is not something he is known for.

With Salvador, Colin White and Mark Fraser, the defense is a bit more rugged than in recent years.  Fraser is a strong, physical leader that is finally get a chance in the NHL.  He could develop into a second-pairing shutdown defenseman.

Goaltending is not an issue.  Martin Brodeur, after a tough first few games, has largely been himself.  Backup Yann Dannis has been terrific in his two starts.

With Jacques Lemaire behind the bench, this a team certainly good enough to make the playoffs.  If Patrik Elias returns to some kind of old form, they could be even better and maybe even enough to make a run at the Cup.

Many things will have to go right, namely guys like Bergfors, Clarkson and Niedermayer continuing their excellent play, but this is a dangerous team when firing on all cylinders.  The next 15 games will tell a lot more as to the future success of this team.

Mark Krulish can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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