When Petr Sykora accepted a try-out with the New Jersey Devils he seemed a long shot to make the team. But if line combinations are a measuring stick for the opening night roster than expect Sykora to be there when the team opens up its season on October 8th.
Even if Devils head coach Pete DeBoer isn’t coming out and saying it, his recent line combinations seem to indicate that Sykora has played well enough to move himsewlf up the teams depth chart. DeBoer has partnered Sykora with Patrik Elias and Zach Parise. To be saddled up next to two of the most important offensive forces on the team speaks volumes about just how well the Czech forward has played.
Sykora, who was drafted 18th overall by the Devils in 1995, proved he can still put the puck in the net right from the start of camp. He picked up a hat-trick in the Devils first intra-squad scrimmage setting the tone for the rest of training camp. Besides scoring he’s worked hard, focusing on the “little thingsR...
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