February 3, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Dainius Zubrus (8) controls the puck against the New York Islanders during the first period of an NHL game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Dainius Zubrus will return to the New Jersey Devils lineup tonight, against the New York Islanders. Zubrus is coming back from a wrist injury that occurred on February 5th against the New York Rangers. After having surgery on February 14th, he is now ready to play and is expected to play on the Devils’ third line with Adam Henrique and recently acquired Matt D’Agostini.

While often overlooked, Zubrus is a key component to the undersized Devils offense. He possesses the  ability to fight for loose pucks along the boards and decent speed for his size – a rare combination in New Jersey. Zubrus had his best year in a Devils uniform last year, tallying 17 goals and 27 assists for a total of 44 points, tying him for 6th on the team. With the departure of Petr Sykora (44 points) and Zach Parise (69 points) Zubrus’ contribution is even more important this season.

With Stefan Matteau in Junior Hockey, What will the Devils do? Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

In this column I will provide all the possible moves the New Jersey Devils can make to add a man to their active roster after assigning Stefan Matteau to Junior Hockey. I am assuming that the Devils will not play Krystofer Barch, Harri Pesonen, and Tom Kostopoulos all in the same game. The one exception may come Tuesday night in the Devils’ rivalry game against the New York Rangers. I also do not expect them to play seven defense-men (Mark Fayne has been a healthy scratch lately) or three goalies anytime soon.

We’ll start with one of the less exciting possibilities: returning from injury.

The Devils have been beat up all season and currently have three players injured. Was Matteau’s QMJHL assignment designed to open up a roster spot for them?

Dainius Zubrus

Unlikely

Definitely unlikely, but the most likely in terms of returning from an injury. Zubrus, out since sustaining a wrist injury on February 5 against the Rangers, could really help the struggling Devils offense. The initial assessment was 4-6 weeks on February 14. That would make it almost 5 weeks today. Is Zubrus really close to a return and the Devils just aren’t telling us? I doubt it. I also doubt that this was the reason for no Matteau. Don’t worry: the Devils would find a way to get Zubrus on the roster anyway.

Martin Brodeur

Extremely Unlikely

First, the Devils will not dress three goalies. Upon Brodeur’s return, current back up Jeff Frazee will be sent down to Albany. And on top of that, no one knows when Brodeur will return. His injury of soreness has sidelined him since February 24. He may practice today. Good news there but not the reason Matteau was reassigned.

Henrik Tallinder

Extremely Unlikely

The Devils probably wouldn’t mind if Tallinder doesn’t return this season. He hasn’t performed, and they have a surplus of defense-men. They would be thrilled if someone would want him in a trade, but I doubt that will happen. Check out one of my previous articles on long shot Tallinder trade possibilities here. This Swede wasn’t the reason for Matteau’s assignment to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

Overall, the Devils did not send Matteau down to open up a roster spot for one of their own returning from injury.

This is the first part of what I hope to be four. Part II will examine possible minor league call-ups, while Parts III and IV will be more exciting with possible trades.