No Langenbrunner yet

Although right wing Jamie Langenbrunner said he was going to begin practicing with the team by the end of this week, he was not on the ice for today's practice. So, unless he takes part in the morning skate today, it looks like he'll have to wait until at least Sunday.

"I thought it was going to be this week, but I don't know," he said. "It's not up to me."

Langenbrunner has not played this season after having September sports hernia surgery. He said he has had no setbacks in his recovery. "I'm still on schedule, ahead of schedule," he said. "It's six weeks today (since his surgery)."

Still, with the Devils playing Toronto Friday in the second game of four in six days, there isn't much practice time available. "I feel good," Langenbrunner said. "It's just getting my conditioning. The problem is the schedule with all of the games, it's tough to get practices in."

Langenbrunner wasn't sure how much time he'll need to get ready to play in a game. "Normally, when you are coming off an injury you've been playing for a while," he said. "The fact that I haven't played since last year's playoffs, I think that makes it longer than normal."

All of the Devils' healthy players practiced today. Defenseman Karel Rachunek remains sidelines with a groin strain and Devils coach Brent Sutter said he will not play in Friday's game. Sutter said the coaches will decide Friday whether to go with seven defensemen again against the Maple Leafs. Martin Brodeur will start again in net.

Today's forward lines and defense pairs:

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

Defense: Greene-Martin; Vishnevski-Brookbank; Oduya-Malmivaara (Mottau)

Comments

[Maxwell]

FINALLY Sutter brings Zajac and Parise back together, and what happens? They have 10 shots on goal combined, Parise gets a goal on a Zajac and Gionta assist. That may be, in my opinion, the most under-rated line in the NHL.

Also, I would like to point out that although our defense has been questionable (at best) this season, we dropped Lukowich who has a -10 rating thus far. I hated that guy.

[BigTymeDevilsFan]

Glad to see we have the same line combinations for two straight days. Is Jamie going back on the Parise line or are we going to see something different. I guess time will tell.

[Pat]

Keep the Parise line together and put Jamie w/Elias. Don't fix what's not broken. Jamie is streaky, just like Patty. Maybe they will balance each other out.

[Pat]

Also, they said the Parise line was flying last night. Gionta is much faster than Jamie and gives that line another dimension. Did you see him chase down that one loose puck? He beat the defenseman who had a zone head start.

[Devilswede]

Glad to hear that Jamie is nearing a return. I just hope he doesn't rush back, we need him 100 % healthy.

Langs is missed more than some might think.

When he does get back I say put him on a line with Elias and Brylin. Remember the last time that trio was together was back in the 05-06 playoffs when Elias was tearing the playoffs in scoring. Hopefully Langs' return cam jumpstart Elias' play and production.

It's going to take a while for Langer to get into shape and back to normal. Even when he starts playing games it's going to take him at least 10 games to get into the groove again.

[sutter means win]

I know Sutter is waiting for the team to assemble completely (lang/white) before he even thinks about naming a captain, but I'd like to bring up the topic... I'm really liking the notion of John Madden taking the reins. I would say pando, but I think Madden would take the role more naturally, I think jay would be a little more reticent. On Johns bio on the homepage it says he would like to be college coach when he leaves the nhl, I take this as a good indication of a desire to lead. The way hes opening up offensively and the stripes hes earned defensively over years anchoring the devils philosophy... I think he fits...

[Mike]

I'm sure Langenbrunner we'll have to play 3-4 games in Lowell to get back in shape, so I don't see him returning until December at the earliest. I still Gionta eventually playing with Elias to spread the scoring, but I wouldn't mind Langenbrunenr playing with Elias. Now if we can work on getting a 2nd lince center so that Brylin can go back to the 4th line.

[Mike]

I'm sure Langenbrunner we'll have to play 3-4 games in Lowell to get back in shape, so I don't see him returning until December at the earliest. I still Gionta eventually playing with Elias to spread the scoring, but I wouldn't mind Langenbrunenr playing with Elias. Now if we can work on getting a 2nd lince center so that Brylin can go back to the 4th line.