Not the same old Devils

The Devils and coach Brent Sutter are more comfortable with each other this season, and the results on the ice reflect their chemistry. AP Darren Eliot's Mailbag Darren Eliot will periodically answer questions from SI.com users in his mailbag. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

I've written here several times over the years about Martin Brodeur without much considering the New Jersey Devils as a team. I'm probably not alone in that oversight, but with Brodeur sidelined since mid-November and the Devils a mere two points out of top spot in the Atlantic Division, it's time to admit it: I'm a Devils fan.

There. I said it.

All this time, I figured that my admiration for their star goaltender was acknowledgement enough; never dreaming that there was so much more to consider. And forget the historic harangue that the Devils choke the life out of a game. That old view does not apply anymore.

Are they still responsible defensibly? Sure. Do their forwards track back with purpose and passion when the opposition has the puck? Absolutely. But they skate forward just as passionately and purposefully when attacking, and even unleash a forecheck from time to time for good measure.

Yes, defending is central to the Devils' identity. But today, under second-year coach Brent Sutter, they've modified with the times.

"I'm very comfortable with this group," Sutter says. "They're more comfortable with me. A lot of what we went through last year is in place regarding systems and expectations. I don't even have to bring up accountability anymore. The players in the room handle that."

Which is to say that this team knows how to play Devils' hockey and no one can shirk that responsibility. That's allowed Sutter to deviate from the time-honored tradition of matching their checking line -- the longtime combo of John Madden, Jay Pandolfo and various other wingers -- against the opposition's top line. Now, Sutter rolls his lines more liberally, which gives his top offensive forwards more minutes.

As veteran Bobby Holik -- himself the shutdown center in his previous stint with the Devils -- points out, "That is a huge fundamental shift for us. The game keeps changing, and to stay competitive, you have to adjust along the way."

Not that Sutter doesn't use Madden in shutdown mode. He does in certain situations. But there is less rigidity to the routine and, thus, the Devils have become more fluid on the ice. All of this because the group gets the big picture and because the coach learned, too. He watched. He listened. He made some tough calls. When he felt the team was ready, he gave his players a little more latitude because he sensed that they were responsible enough to hold up their end of the bargain defensively no matter what line they were out there against.

So captain Jamie Langenbrunner gains energy playing with Travis Zajac and Zach Parise -- who, in my mind, should be in any mid-season discussion concerning Hart Trophy contention. Patrik Elias rediscovers his offensive consistency while linemates Dainius Zubrus and Brian Gionta take turns having big nights. Plus, is there a better fourth line in hockey than Brian Rolston, Holik and Mike Rupp?

I guess it depends on your definition of better. All I know is that this is a better team than I thought. The Devils have a stronger combination of speed and grit than I ever imagined. The underpinnings of tough-minded defense are still in place, but coach Sutter has buffed the team's image to a new shine for today's hard-skating NHL. In no way does any of this diminish Scott Clemmensen's remarkable story in relief of Brodeur. He deserves all of the accolades that are coming his way.

Still, this is the season where the netminder no longer defines the Devils. As Sutter surmised, "This is a proud group. Once we got past the initial story of losing Marty -- and it took a few games -- I knew we'd be all right. This is a good team that maybe didn't get enough credit over the years. Yes, the goaltending has been good, but it goes hand in hand. The team has been good for the goaltender, too. The guys have met the challenge and proved that point."

Count me convinced.