DEVS CUT FEDOROV
It’s a tough lineup to crack. Fedor Fedorov didn’t, so he’s done with the Devils.
Their four lines virtually set before training camp even started, and only confirmed by exhibition play, the Devils are looking for someone to take Fedorov’s $500,000 contract off their hands. If there are no NHL takers for the 27-year-old left wing, he probably would be able to return to Russia, where he played for Dynamo Moscow last season.
“It was a hockey decision, strictly a hockey decision,” coach Brent Sutter said. “We didn’t feel he could be in our top 12.”
Fedorov failed to impress in playing all four exhibitions before last night’s 3-0 victory over the Islanders. He had one assist and went minus-3, worst on the roster, almost predictable with his stick-handling attempts.
Fedorov’s departure appears to leave incumbent Rod Pelley and rookie Petr Vrana as the favorites to make the opening-night roster. P.L. Letourneau-Leblond, an impressive fighter, remains in camp, as do rookie defensemen Jay Leach and Anssi Salmela, but any of those three would have to displace either Pelley or Vrana to stick.
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In his second preseason start and first full game, Martin Brodeur turned aside 16 shots last night against the Islanders (2-2) at the Coliseum.
Zach Parise, shorthanded in the first, Patrik Elias in the second and Salmela in the third scored on Joey MacDonald as the Devils improved to 3-2 in preseason.
PRESEASON Devils 3 Islanders 0
