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Former Devils coach Jacques Lemaire has been assessing the team's performance.

(Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger)

Devils special assignment coach Jacques Lemaire has been following the team of late, both from the stands at practices and at games.



But it is, according to coach Pete DeBoer, nothing out of the ordinary.



"Jacques usually takes a trip in this time of year every year," DeBoer noted. "I've always consulted with Jacques. This is no different. I pick up the phone. He watches all the games in Florida between golf games. He's a valuable resources for us."



Is Lemaire, whose opinions are highly-valued, looking at specific problems?



"No. I think Jacques watches all the games and I just pick his brain on what he sees," DeBoer explained. "A lot of times it's just reinforcing what we see."



DeBoer said he thinks the Devils are a better team than the one which lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins on opening night, 3-0.



"I think our game is definitely in a different place. I think defensively we're in a good spot," DeBoer said. "Right now we're just trying to find our way offensively."



He was asked if goalie Martin Brodeur's stickhandling helps the team offensively.



Brodeur's goals-against average is 2.08 and his record is 5-3-2. Cory Schneider has a lower GAA of 1.98 but he is 1-5-3.



"I think Marty's stickhandling helps us defensively more than offensively in that it takes away the other team's forecheck," DeBoer said. "I don't think it's a simple as Marty's in there and we score goals because he handles the puck.



"There is no doubt he's the best in the business and definitely when he's in the net he helps us in that area. But I don't have an explanation why we don't score or haven't scored with Cory in net. I look at the chances. The guys I think have worked their (butts) off to try and score and get him a win. It just hasn't happened yet."

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It is possible Jon Merrill (concussion) could make the California road trip with the Devils.



"I don't know that yet, but (he's taken) a lot of positive steps," DeBoer said.



The coach said there is nothing new on injured defenseman Anton Volchenkov (leg).

