Shanahan won't play vs. Blue Jackets, but expects to play before all-star break; No. 18 was his choice

Brendan Shanahan will have to wait a bit longer to play the first game of his second stint with the Devils, but maybe not that long. 

Although Devils coach Brent Sutter said today that Shanahan won't play against the Blue Jackets Friday in Columbus, Shanahan believes he will play in a game before the all-star break begins a week from today.

"That's my expectation," Shanahan said. "I think that's all of our expectation. I think after skating a few days with (team fitness consultat Vladimir Bure) back home and working with (strength and conditioning coordinator Mike Vasalani), I felt pretty good and, more importantly, they were pretty confident that I was a lot closer than maybe they were expecting.

"But it's not just going to be my decision."

After officially signing with the team on Wednesday and flying to Columbus on Wednesday night, Shanahan took part in his first practice with the Devils today at Nationwide Arena. Shanahan rotated in today at both right wing and left wing on a line with Jay Pandolfo, Bobby Holik and Mike Rupp. Sutter said that was "no indication whatsoever", however,  of who Shanahan might play with.

In fact, Sutter claimed not to know yet whether he would play him at left wing or right wing.

"We'll see how things unfold here," Sutter said. "The good things about Shanny is he can play either positiion and also he can take faceoffs, so that's a good thing."

Shanahan said he is comfortable playing left wing and right wing.

"I played the last couple of years at right wing, but I played 18 years at left wing," he said. "I take that back. The first year I was a center."

Because my flight was delayed I didn't get to the arena until the last few minutes of practice, so I can't give an evaluation of how Shanahan looked, but Sutter was impressed.

"He looked pretty good today," Sutter said. "He's still in a situation where he has to get into game-like situations in practice. Today was a start where we worked on some game-type situation things. But I thought he (did) pretty well for his first day. He's obviously in pretty darn good shape."

Sutter said Shanahan would skate again Friday morning -- it will be only an optional mornng skate.

"I think the important thing here with experienced players -- and all players for that matter -- mentally when they feel they are ready to go, their minds tell them physically they're ready to go," Sutter said. "And Shanny, I've got to trust him that that's what it will be. I don't want to put any player that's been out with an injury or out for a period of time in a situation to fail." 

The Devils have a pretty packed schedule between now and the break. They play at Columbus on Friday, at Long Island on Saturday, at Nashville on Monday and host Montreal on Wednesday. That leaves only Sunday and Tuesday as possible practice days, but Shanahan doesn't believe that will prevent him from playing before the break.

"I think there's only so much you can do in practice," he said. "I think you've got to get in games to get to that next level."

Sutter said one full practice might turn out to be enough.

"I might be if he gets in before the break," Sutter said. "Today might be the first full practice, but we still have ice on Sunday (in Nashville). But there's things we can do in pre-game skates with him to get him to the level that he is going to feel comfortable with playing."

Sutter said he had not decided yet which player would come out of the lineup when Shanahan does play.

"That will be determined," Sutter said. "I'm not sure who that will be." 

***

Shanahan will wear No. 18.

"I had a few options and I chose 18," he said.

Why?

"No. 1 I would never in a million years ever ask a player for a number and, frankly, it just doesn't mean that much to me," he said. "I have too much respect for the players that are in this locker room to ever ask. I wanted to fit in. I didn't want to come in here, making demands or asking for anything or asking for a number. I'm just here to fit in."

***

Although Sutter would not say, all indications are that Kevin Weekes will start in net Friday against Columbus. Weekes is coming off a strong performance in a 5-1 win in Los Angeles on Saturday. Scott Clemmensen has started the last two games, but gave up a couple of questionable goals in the third period of Tuesday's 5-3 win in Vancouver.

Comments

[modnarm]

yea first comment!

[JJ]

Put him at RW with Madden and Rolston and we have 3 lines that are not only scoring threats but very defensively responsible.

[Jeff]

I like his attitude with number and so far he seems to be saying all the right things

[Sav]

If hes skating on a line with Holik Pandolfo and Rupp why does Sutter have to make comments like - that was "no indication", however, of who Shanahan might play with. Why is it such a secret?

[YEAHw/e]

Thats would be a dreadful line. One guy who has little offense (Madden) and two guys who just like to shoot and snipe the puck. How are Rolston and Shanny gunna shoot if they cant get someone on their line to set them up. Clarkson is an amazing passer and Rupp has great puck control. Id like to see those two with Shanny

[AJ]

If he has so much respect for the players in this lockerroom, why can't he show respect to a player that was in this locker room and not take number 18?

[brian]

remember rolston after he got back from the ankle skated on a line in practice and that night was on a different line. its the devils

[Tom Gulitti]

Sutter said he hasn't made up his mind yet. He was just with those guys today to start out.

[Marc]

I would not put him in until after the break so he can have a couple more practices. He would fit good with Madden and Rolston but I think to start he should be with Holik and Pandolfo to get his legs and timing back.

[YEAHw/e]

18 is really the only number available and the Devils like to give away old numbers. #28 worn by Rafi was taken by numerous players, Mottau is now wearing Nieds #27, it happens

[Benny]

what line do you think he is going to be on and who is going to be removed from the lineup so that he could play?

[Devilswede]

18 the only available number?! What about 10, 21, 22 & 25?? He would've looked a lot better in 10 to me. I don't like seeing #18 out there if it doesn't say Brylin on the back.

[JJ]

Clarkson's an amazing passer? I like the guy but that's a bit over the top don't you think? If you put Rupp at center with Clarkson & Shanahan, what do you do with Madden? It's not like you are gonna put him on wing with Holik and waste his faceoff ability. I know Madden has been a disappointment but he did score 20 goals last year. Maybe playing with guys who can actually score will be just what he needs.

[YEAHw/e]

He actually is an amazing passer. He doesn't make the passes like Gomez does, but hes able to angle the puck perfectly off the sides boards from behind the net right to our D-man at the point...consistently. thats a very hard pass to make and i love how rupp is playing with the puck this year. i think that would be a solid line

[Speedz]

can't wait for another update!

[Tim from Jersey]

Shanahan should've come in and said "I DESERVE #30 OR I WALK!"

[JJ]

@Yeahw/e - so what do we do with Madden then?

[YEAHw/e]

I know you dont think he should be with Holik cause hes good at winning faceoffs, but Madden hasn't been winning them lately and im pretty sure someone commented about this before. Id have the lines as followed:

Gio-Zubs-Elias
Parise-Zajac-Langs
Rolston-Holik-Madden
Rupp-Shanny-Clarky

Although that last line may have a problem with who the center is. Its a good concept though lol

[Jeremy]

They like to re-use old numbers because they can just take off the nameplate of the old player. This way they always have jerseys available that are re-usable.

[DH]

This doesn't bode well for Pando. Let Shanahan play with both lines and see which one clicks.

[Tom Gulitti]

Is anyone watching the news? A U.S. Air flight that took off at LaGuardia this afternoon had a problem after hitting some birds and had to land in the Hudson River. Apparently, everyone got off the plane alive and made it to shore. There were a bunch of ferrys that were there in a matter of minutes.

[josh]

i like the potential we have in our PP now

Elias-Zajaac-Parise-Langenbrunner-Martin

Gionta-Zubrus-Shannahan-Rolston-Greene (or Oduya)

thats as solid a set of PP's as anyone in the league and the number of choices on the PK is endless:

Madden-Rolston (this is assuming it is Pando thats out)
Elias-Zajaac
Holik-Shanny

Gionta can change in with anyone as he has shown his skills at killing penalties and this is all without Pando who is a premier PK guy

[Dan G.]

I'm watching it right now. It was incredible to see the 737 floating there in the Hudson. I can't imagine how cold the water is. Luckily it looks like everyone is fine

[josh]

holy wow!! glad to hear your alright though TG.

Does it make you a little less frustrated that your flight got delayed?

[SonicDude]

looks like everyone OK, pilot should be enshrined for safe landing on water, which is really no diff than landing on concrete but without the wheels. pretty amazing.