Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko are in the rafters, Scott Niedermayer in Anaheim, and Replacement Plan A was a disaster last season.

This year, the Devils are going the low-priced route for defense, the position that was always their strength. New coach Claude Julien says daily there are plenty of jobs available.

“We have open spots, that much I can tell you,” Julien said, a day after saying, “There are some spots open. We’re going to give some long looks at a lot of players and give them opportunities to earn a job.” Last season, after Niedermayer bolted, Lou Lamoriello broke the bank to sign Vladimir Malakhov ($3.6 million for each of two years) and Dan McGillis ($2.2 million, ditto). McGillis was waived to toil the season in Albany and the salary cap suggests Lowell might be this year’s destination.

Malakhov was suspended last December, remains so, and the Devils are back where they were in August, except that Richard Matvichuk is out following disc surgery.

The incumbents are Colin White, Brian Rafalski and Paul Martin, as well as deadline pickup Brad Lukowich and looking-to-stick David Hale.

They need at least two more, probably three, and someone to break in big.

The leading candidate is former Islander first-rounder Scott Lachance, in camp on a tryout. Then there’s Albany captain Alex Brooks, collegiate star Andy Greene, firstrounder Matt Corrente and Swedish vet Johnny Oduya, as well as former Ranger Mike Mottau.

Oduya made a splash in his Devils preseason debut, notching three assists in the 50 victory over the Bruins Sunday in Lowell.