Martin's knee "a little sore; Fraser "felt normal"

Devils defenseman Paul Martin said his right knee was "a little sore" this morning after his near knee-on-knee collision with the Rangers' Chris Drury in the first period Monday night.

That didn't stop Martin from participating in today's optional practice, though.

"It was a little sore and then as I warmed up and practiced it felt better as we went along," Martin said. "It will be gone soon."

***

Defenseman Mark Fraser said he "felt normal" today after practicing with the team today for the first time since he was injured in a Sept. 24 preseason fight with Philadelphia's Daniel Carcillo.

Fraser said he had skated on his own "a few times."

Fraser said he never was bothered by significant head injury-type symptoms other than the night of the fight.

"To be honest, I felt OK," he said. "We were just taking a little bit of precaution and wanted to get me checked out by the doctors to make sure everythng is OK. But, to be honest, it was a pretty quick recovery."

Fraser remains on injured reserve. The next step for him is to improve his conditioning after a 12-day layoff.

"He's got to get back in shape," Devils coach Jacques Lemaire said. "It's going to take a few days. We'll see how he comes bacik. I liked what he did when he played."

{Follow this blog on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TGfireandice}

***

Lemaire said it was "great news" that Patrik Elias skated on his own today for the first time since he has arthroscopic groin surgery on Sept. 15.

***

Minnesota natives Paul Martin, Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise were all planning to try to watch the Twins-Tigers playoff game later this afternoon, Martin said he might watch it with Andy Greene, a Michigan native and Tigers fan, but that was news to Greene.

Brian Rolston is a Flint, Mich. native and also Tiger fan.

Comments

[Zorin]

I wonder if we will see a Marty v. Clemmer when the Panthers play the Devs? Panthers will be @Carolina on Friday...NJ on Sat. What do you think, TG? Could happen, right?

[RickyM2]

If it happens, I'm wearing my Clemmensen Jersey. Confuse all the new fans... LOL

[RickyM2]

Oh, and about Lemaire dealing with "negative feelings in the locker room"

Hasn't even been a week, and already Shanny is missed. He could look in to the kids eyes and say "guys, I've started post season series 0-2 and won the cup"

[Brodie30]

I wish the Devils could get powerplays for kneeing opponents. What a charmed life the Rangers lead.

[TG]

Sure, it could happen. I guess it depends on if and how Vokoun plays on Friday. Vokoun played both games on back-to-back nights against Chicago in Finland, so it's also possible he plays both, but I can see the Panthers setting it up for Clemmensen to play that game against his old team.

Whenever you can get a player with a little extra motivation, coaches like to do that.

[Scotty K]

Per TSN shanny has been waived.

[Ben]

Does anyone think clemmensen is going to play lights out like he did last year??

[TG]

To clarify: If you read the quote, Lemaire actually said there were no negative feelings in the locker room. He was checking, though, because that's what coaches do.

And it's understandable that he'd be concerned that there might some negative thoughts considering the team is 0-2.

You guys are obviously having tons of negative thoughts. Just read the comments on this blog from the readers.

[devilstown]

Here are the biggest problems I had with last nights game. FACEOFFS, especially Zajac. While I appreciated Oduya sticking up for Martin and jumping Drury, where was anyone when Callahan drove into Brodeur. I would very easily accept a loss in game 2 of the season if the Devils finally let the league, in particular the Rangers, know that crashing Marty will not go unpunished!

[Zorin]

TG, of course we are negative ATM....We had Philly and The Ran-jerks come in and kick us in the face. Wouldn't you be mad if your team (still don't know those teams) lost its first 2 games of the season...and against 2 of its biggest rivals.

So yah, I'm negative and pissed...and I KNOW I'm not alone.

[Tom]

TG-Do you get the feeling that Danis will play a game on this road trip even though there are no back to backs?

(FYI for everyone, especially the haters) : I am not saying Danis should replace Broduer. That is insanity. It is like benching Jeter after 4 consecutive hitless games. INSANE)

[RickyM2]

TG... I was EXTREMELY negative. But my negativity was fueled by anger that it was Flyers and Rangers we lost to. If we were 0-2 and it was TBL or BUF. Most of us would be saying "we better get it together by the time we meet the rangers and flyers!!"

But after listening to all the fans across the country on XM.. There are fans who are pessimistic even with a 2-0 team. COL fans aren't buying in to this.

I'm better now, and I think most of the fans are as well. If Lemaire finds negative players (which he would not announce) He's gunna have to deal with them case by case. I'm sure it's nothing that a few wins won't cure.

However, I'm still firm on Marty. Has to sit a lot more sporadically.

[Zorin]

Tom..DJ going 0-16..is like our current PP at times..haha

[Tom]

Zorin-I didn't like losing to either team, but would it have made you feel better if it was Atlanta and Florida? Then everyone would be saying we couldn't beat teams that didn't make the playoffs last year.

Since we play 82 games a year I am not worried. 2 games is not a big deal. In football it is, not in hockey.

[95-00-03]

Negativity will be on this board as long as the opposing teams fans are shouting "Maaarty" in our house!

We all have friends or colleagues that are either Rags or Cryer fans and we take alot of heat when we lose against those 2 teams espescially.

That said I know it's going to turn around but it can't come soon enough.

GO DEVILS!

[Tom]

Zorin-Our PP participants play for the absolute perfect shot every time and it never comes (especially in the 5 on 3). They have to start throwing the puck at the net more.

[Zorin]

Tom -- FLA has a good team, barely missed the playoffs last year. And ATL...we should beat them. But going 0-2...at home, against those 2 teams, 2 div. games...just sucks. The icing on the 'hate cake' would be a 3rd straight loss to the Cains. Ricky, I know you agree.

[Marginal talent compared to Rags/Cryers]

Play Danis in one of the next 2 games, he looked good in preseason, better than Marty.

[Dave]

Was there an injury to Bryce Salvadore against the Rangers? According to the box score, he got only 12 minutes of ice time. What's up with that?

The refs were awful. The reward to Drury for turtling after his knee-on-knee, and the dubious diving call against Bergfors were glaring mistakes. I hope someone in the League HQ looks at the tape and holds the refs accountable. (Fat chance).

I agree with the guys who have been suggesting Lamaire move Bergfors to the first line in place of Langs. Sorry Langs. Bergie's fast and skilled. Such a line would be scary good.

[Mike]

Don't forget about the Too many men they didn't call.

[We Need Sam Gagner]

LET'S GO DEVILS

[We Need Sam Gagner]

LET'S GO DEVILS