Vrana to make NHL debut

With Brian Rolston sidelined with a high right ankle sprain, rookie forward Petr Vrana will get to play in his first NHL game when the Devils take on the Washington Capitals Saturday night at Verizon Center.

"I'm definitely excited," Vrana said today. "I haven't played in two weeks or so, so it's exciting. It's definitely what I was waiting for."

Vrana skated today at right wing on a line with Patrik Elias at left wing and Dainius Zubrus at center.

"It will be his first game, so I'm the nerves are going to be flying," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "He's just got to come in and be a solid player for us, solid in all three zones and use his skill to his advantage, but be an intelligent player. He's going to be fine. He's a good player."

The Devils say they are unsure how much Rolston is going to miss. Sutter wouldn't speculate. He leaves tha work to the medical staff.

"I'm not a doctor, I don't know what to expect," Sutter said. "It depends how quickly he heals. It could be a few days, it could be a couple of weeks, it could be a month. I don't know. The thing with me is it's the job of the trainers and doctors to get the guys that are unhealthy, healthy and my job is to coach the healthy guys. Hopefully, Brian will get back sooner than later and the trainers will do everything they can and the doctors for that to happen. My job as the coach and the coaching staff is to get the guys that are in the lineup ready."

Sutter said he wants to keep Zubrus, who finished Thursday's game at center, in the middle for now. Vrana has played center for most of his career, but will make his NHL debut at right wing.

"Personally, I'd like to keep Zubes in the middle right now," Sutter said. "We'll see how the game goes tomorrow, obviously."

Elias said Vrana's versatility is what makes him a good player and he's not worried about him being nervous Saturday.

"He's skilled," Elias said. "He can play any position, wing, center, defense, probably....He might have a little bit of Sergei (Brylin)."

Sutter kept the other three lines the way they were at the end of Thursday night's 1-0 win in Atlanta.

The line of Zach Parise, Travis Zajac and Jamie Langenbrunner remains the same. John Madden centered Jay Pandolfo and Brian Gionta on the checking line and Bobby Holik played between Mike Rupp and David Clarkson on the fourth line. Those are the combinations Sutter plans to at least start Saturday's game with. He said the same six defensemen will play, meaning Andy Greene will play his second game in a row, and Martin Brodeur will start again in net.

***

After Rolston was injured when he lost and edge and crashed into the boards Thursday night, there were a couple of eyebrow-raising moments in practice today. First, Brodeur was stung by a Clarkson shot that hit him in the left wrist, just above where the cuff on his catching glove ends.

"It's where there is no protection," Brodeur said. "They found a hole."

Brodeur iced his wrist after practice and said it was nothing to worry about.

"Just sore a little, a bruise," he said. "One of many to come this season."

The second incident came near the end of practice when Parise lost an edge and crashed into the boards in a manner similar to Rolston's accident. Parise got up slowly and flexed his right foot/ankle, but finished out practice and said he was "fine."

"I just lost an edge," he said.

***

Brent Johnson will start in net for the Capitals on Saturday. Viktor Kozlov (knee) and Tom Poti (groin) are out. Donald Brashear (hand) also might not play.

Comments

[Wyatt's Dad]

The Devils are tied for last in the league for GF with the Oilers.....the Oilers have played two games....I hope Vrana can pump a couple

[maddening11]

well, everyone wanted to see vrana...careful what you wish for.

[BH]

Even though I know he's no where near as good as the hype he gets on this website, i am still hoping he can contribute some offense. This is a big opportunity for him, so for him, I'm hoping he plays well enough where Sutter can't take him out of the lineup when Rolston comes back.

[AK47]

TG thanks for update.I think there is more then just a eyebrow-raising moments in practice today. Two franchise players and most important to the team almost got injured.I know that practice is part of the NHL season and the game but still.

[Jim]

Who the hell is resonsible for sharpening the skates on this team?

[frankied]

i don't want to hear any more people "losing an edge" lol... unless they are on the rangers

[JJ]

Nobody should be expecting him to be a difference maker on offense even though he's on an Elias' line. I wouldn't be shocked to see Zach, Gio or Jamie double shifted in his place at times if the game is on the line. He's got to just focus on keeping a cool head under pressure, make smart low-risk plays and not be turning the puck over. He's a smart 2-way guy and will be a decent player but nobody should expect him to come in after 2 weeks of not playing and be completely ready for the speed of a NHL game (see Salmela). That said I hope he surpasses expectations because we need to do something to get the O going.

[maddening11]

TG, are the rules with waivers and bringing up/sending down players the same as when rosters were first set a week or two ago? So if we were to bring up Leblonde for a few games (Dallas and 2 vs. Philly next week) and leave Salmella down in Lowell, Leblonde would have to clear waivers again to go down? If so, I would think that would pretty much cripple his chances of getting called up this year, dont you think? Thanks.

[TG]

Actually, Leblond did not have to clear waivers to be sent down (I corrected that a couple of days before he was sent down. It turned out his first year as a pro, he was only on an AHL contract, and it's only been two years since he signed his first NHL contract). So, Leblond would not have to clear re-entry waivers to be called up and wouldn't have to clear waivers again to be sent down. He's waivers exempt.

[rlg]

Great job as always, Hope you have fun in washington, I know you LOVE that city

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

Blondie isn't going to help us now, and i have limited expectations for Vrana going into tommorows game personally. i think he will be a solid player but not nearly as spectacular as most here think he will be going all the way back to last year. That said he wears the right colors, so i hope everyone is right and he is the second coming of Gretzky, but i would settle for a Dino Ciccarelli myself!

[JJ]

More likely to see Tallackson if there's another FWD injured.

[Warren]

With Rollie out...now the only difference on the ice from the team that got spanked by the Rangers is...over-the-hill-Holik. Heckuva job by Lou wouldn't you say?

[Chico Eats!]

Really? Even with Barry's heart problems?

[Warren]

That's what we're down to? A minor leaguer (Vrana) and a guy with heart problems (Tallacks)? Oh...that and the lowest goals-for in the league...

Again, I will ask...has any GM been worse since the lockout?

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

dude, i have to ask... does anyone else here cry as often as you do? Things are what they are, and Lou did bring in Rolston, so is it lou's fault he got hurt? i had no idea that Lou went out and tripped rollie causing him to fall and hurt his ankle without anyone seeing him do it. he is the fastest GM in the league, we should put him on skates himself!

[BH]

Yeah, Lou really should have known Rolston would get hurt four games into the season. I can't believe this guy has a job.

[maddening11]

the only reason i brought up leblonde is because we play avery and then the flyers next week. the only impact he brings is toughness, which we could use against those teams. clearly if we have another injury and need a skill player bergfors or tallackson would be better suited. i just love the thought of blondie pummeling cote lol.

and its only been 4 games (3 of which we won), so enough with hitting the panic button and jumping off the bandwagon already

[Warren]

The point you missed...dude...is that there is no depth. There is nothing in the system. Not one guy not dressing who can step in. Nothing of value at Lowell. Plus, we have a defense core made up of only two bona fide NHLers. The rest are AHL caliber.

I am crying...crying for help!

[Warren]

...and now I'm off to Happy Hour where I will-no doubt-encounter Ranger fans and have to listen to their nonsense.

[Pat D'Amico]

Hey TG, did the Devils work on 2 on 1's in practice?

[joe]

Lou is the worst gm ever. We are paying 9mm per year annually (approximately) for Holik, Zubrus and Pandolfo. these three guys will net us a total of about 50 points if we are lucky. terrible production. For 9mm i just as rather have signed Hossa for 8 and have a guy like vrana and another lowell scrub to fill the spot on the 4th line cheaply. Instead we will continue to see guys like Mike rupp in the lineup and Dave clarkson on a day in and day out basis. these guys have zero offensive skill and they aren't good enough at what they do to consider them role players. Bullying and fighting are a thing of the past in the NHL, now its speed and talent that win games. Lou is stuck in a time warp somewhere signing guys like Mottau, Brookbank, Rupp and Pandolfo. We gave Pando way to many years and way to much money, i'm sorry.

[NJSwampdragon]

Yes, I'm sure Warren would rather have the 15 goals Colorado has scored and their 1-3 record than the 6 goals the Devils have scored and there 3-1 record. A true fan who has probably complained every year, even during the cup years, how bad the Devil's are/were/and will be.

[Johnny Saddle Brook]

This is a big opportunity for Vrana but also Zubrus as well. Show us something good Zoobie! Play with some emotion!

[Zavior]

Wow I mentioned Parise in respect to crashing into the boards like Rolston did in the previous tread. Strange how he crashes into the boards today and walks away from it. Between this is the prediction by another Devils fans about Marty getting a shutout in Atlanta the other day, I think us Devils fans have aquired a new power.

Quickly, someone says.... Money will fall from the sky! Say it!