PF&HS Presents: Meet the Devs

In our first edition of "Meet the Devs" we are going to take a look at the newest Devils for the 2011-12 season. Some of them we've seen before in the red and black and some we have not. We'll also take a look at the newest coaching staff as well.

Cam Janssen: Cam Janssen is not known for goal scoring, and anybody who has followed Devils hockey knows that. This is his second stint with the team and according to his twitter he's excited to be back in NJ. Cam is known specifically as a fighter. Anytime there was a fight you almost always knew it was janssen in the mix. He scored one goal in a Devils' uniform against the Capitals. He broke free after being released of the penalty box (where he spent most of his games) and gave a hard slapshot that went right past the Washington goalie. He was traded to the St. Louis Blues (his hometown) for current Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador.

Jay Leach: Jay Leach hasn't had a long career but he never stays in one place. He played for the Devils in 2009. Basically getting moved mid-season every year he was aquired by the Devils in February for Patrick Davis and Michael Swift and spent 7 games with NJ. He scored 1 goal for the Sharks in 2010 and that is his only career goal since joining the NHL in 2006 with the Boston Bruins. I went to a presason game a few years ago in his first term in NJ and some Ranger fan just kept screaming "Our Leetch is better!" Yes, let's compare Jay Leach to Brian Leetch just to make yourself feel better. Typical Rag fan. Jay will most likely spend most of this season as either a long-term healthy scratch of up in Albany.

Eric Boulton: We're getting our first look at Eric Boulton in a Devils' uniform this year. From what I gather he likes a more "hands-on" approach to the sport. A lot of coaches hate him whether he's on their team or against him. In 2005, he elbowed Eric Lindros and Paul Ranger and was suspended for the latter. Honestly anyone named "Ranger" deserves it, and Eric Lindros, well... Any Devils' fan will back me up on this. Eric is a walking bruised brain, and Boulton was just putting him out of his misery. His 6 goals last year were his best of his career but his PIM is through the roof. Between him Cam, and of course David Clarkson, the Devs might be a hard-hitting fighting franchise next season.

David Steckel: Steckel was traded to the Devils last year for Jason Arnott. It wasn't a very popular trade with fans but Steckel is a former first round pick. 304 games and 24 goals is his tally including one goal with NJ last year during the dramtic late-season comeback.

Adam Larsson: We're all excited to see how Larsson makes an impact on the Devils. The 18-year old Swede was the steal of the draft. Picked 4th overall he was the highest pick for the Devils since Scott Niedermayer. Scouted as the #1 European and #1 D-man in the draft, the Swedish kid signed a deal with NJ making him eligible to play in NJ this Fall. He still has one-year left on his SEL contract but is still expected to play in United States. He's being compared to Niklas Lidstrom.

Pitchforks and Hockey Sticks will be continuing to provide you with "Meet the Devs" daily featuring two Devils' players every day and eventually the coaches. PF&HS looks forward to bringing you the top notch info on your New Jersey Devils throughout the 2011-12 NHL season.