With the uncertainty surrounding Patrik Elias – who skated for the first time yesterday but is still recovering from Hepatitis A and is expected to miss at least the first 10 games of the season – Devil GM Lou Lamoriello knew he needed an insurance policy.
So he turned to a familiar face in Alexander Mogilny, who enjoyed great success with the franchise in his previous stint, which included a Stanley Cup in 2000 and a 43-goal effort the following year.
“We were very comfortable in making this decision,” Lamoriello said following yesterday’s workout.
Mogilny himself looks to be in a comfort zone, even after being hounded the past year with a hip injury that resulted in two minor surgeries. You certainly wouldn’t be able to detect any problems after watching him stickhandle and set up quality chances as the Devils worked on their power play.
Then, when it was time for a few sprints, the right winger flashed his usual speed.
“Well, I still have my original hip,” said Mogilny, before he cracked a smile and laughed. “If there’s any discomfort down the road, I’ll play through it.”
And beside Scott Gomez.
Coach Larry Robinson has reunited the pair who meshed beautifully once Mogilny arrived from Vancouver right before the trade deadline in 2000.
“There’s still chemistry there,” said Mogilny, who can’t wait for Sunday’s preseason opener with the Islanders. “And in hockey that’s the most important thing.”
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Devils won’t skate again until tomorrow as the entire team and coaching staff will attend this morning’s funeral of Dr. John McMullen, the team’s former owner. McMullen died Friday.