Brookbank to get his shot

Devils coach Brent Sutter said after this morning's practice that defenseman Sheldon Brookbank will finally get in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers. Brookbank, who was claimed off waivers from Columbus on Oct. 2, did not play in the team's first eight games and was sent to Lowell on a conditioning assignment to play in an AHL contest Saturday against Worcester.

"He's going to play," Sutter said. "We brought him back to play. That's our plan as of today. He'll be in the lineup Thursday night."

Sutter did not say which defenseman would sit to make room for Brookbank, but Johnny Oduya, who drew his coach's ire for being caught out of position while trying to pick up his stick on Bill Guerin's overtime winner Saturday against the Islanders, could be the leading candidate.

Sutter said Brookbank "played very, very well" against Worcester. "They said he was the best defenseman on the ice," Sutter said.

Sutter likes Brookbank's physical edge -- he got in a fight in his second shift on Saturday -- and his skill. "He's got some size," Sutter said. "He plays with some bite. You're not named the defenseman of the year in the American League unless you have some skill."

It was difficult to tell from practice which defenseman would sit. Brookbank rotated with all of the pairs.

Sutter tinkered with his forwards again, swapping the right wings on this top two lines. Brian Gionta was moved to play with Dainius Zubrus and Zach Parise. Arron Asham took Gionta's spot with Patrik Elias and Travis Zajac. Elias and Jay Pandolfo both practiced today after being given Monday off to rest minor injuries.

Today's forward lines and defense pairings:

Forwards: Elias-Zajac-Asham; Zubrus-Parise-Gionta; Pandolfo-Madden-Clarkson; Rupp-Pelley-Brylin.

Defense: Oduya-Martin; Greene-Rachunek; Vishnevski-Mottau; Brookbank.

Comments

[2600]

glad to hear he is going to get a shot. Our defense needs serious help.

[Shari]

Good,I was hoping We would get to see what He brings, I'm glad they are adding some size. Now they just need Whitey to get better. Anything new on that or are things still status quo?

[TG]

Things are still status quo on White, the last I heard. From what I understand, it could be a while before he's back, though.

[Devilswede]

White? Oh, his eye is a bit swollen. He'll be back in time for the opener.

No wait...

[Brian]

Thanks for the update. I look forward to seeing him play, hopefully at the expense of Rachunek but even though I love Oduya, I won't mind if he has to sit a game.

[Jason MacIsaac]

What kind of look did Sutter give young defensemen like Fraser and Magnan in camp because both certainly are mobile and good defensivly at this point in their careers.

[Mike]

so what are the odds that Brookbank and either Orr or Hollweg square off on their first shift Thursday night ? Should be interesting. I'm glad SB is finally getting a shot, hopefully at the expense of Oduya

[Mike]

so what are the odds that Brookbank and either Orr or Hollweg square off on their first shift Thursday night ? Should be interesting. I'm glad SB is finally getting a shot, hopefully at the expense of Oduya

[Mike]

so what are the odds that Brookbank and either Orr or Hollweg square off on their first shift Thursday night ? Should be interesting. I'm glad SB is finally getting a shot, hopefully at the expense of Oduya

[Mike]

so what are the odds that Brookbank and either Orr or Hollweg square off on their first shift Thursday night ? Should be interesting. I'm glad SB is finally getting a shot, hopefully at the expense of Oduya

[TG]

Surprisingly, Fraser got pretty much no look in camp. He never practiced with the main group or played in an exhibition game. Magnan-Grenier also had no shot.

[MoonDragn]

I'm surprised that it wasn't Vishnevski that sat out. Mottau used to be paired up with Brookbank in the AHL so the two knows how each other plays. Vish has also the lowest +/- right now of all the defensemen.