Damien-Brunner-Devils

Former Red Wings forward Damien Brunner has four goals and eight points in 26 games with New Jersey.

(The Associated Press)

NEWARK, N.J. – Following a successful transition to the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings last season, Damien Brunner has been like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole with the New Jersey Devils.

Brunner will be a healthy scratch for the fourth time in 30 games tonight when the Red Wings face the Devils at the Prudential Center (7 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

The reason is simple: He’s an offensive player who isn’t scoring enough (four goals, four assists in 26 games). And when he’s not scoring, he doesn't bring enough other elements to justify being in the lineup.

“I think the lesson for Brunner is he’s got to do a little bit more in order to be in the lineup,” Devils coach Peter DeBoer said. “He’s a scorer, so I think if you’re scoring you can overlook some of the other areas of the ice where maybe he’s not as strong. When you’re not scoring, those things become magnified.

“I think when you go 10 or 12 games, eventually it gets to a point where something has to break.”

Brunner has no goals and one assist in his past 16 games.

The Red Wings tried to sign Brunner in the off-season, offering him a two-year deal for $2.5 million a season. He was seeking three years in the mid-$3 million range.

He received a training camp tryout with the Devils and played well enough to earn a two-year, $5 million contract.

He started strong, with three goals and four points in three games, but the former Swiss scoring star has struggled ever since, trying to adjust to a vastly different style.

“Style of play, definitely, huge difference; system-wise it’s like night and day,’’ Brunner said before the game. “You have to find your spots in any system. I’m learning still.”

No question, the Red Wings’ up-tempo, puck-possession style fits Brunner’s skill set more than New Jersey’s more grinding style of play.

“We kind of play more forecheck and chip style of play,’’ Brunner said. “In Detroit it’s more puck possession. You come out of the zone (on a) controlled breakout; neutral zone control the puck.

“Here we have good structure and we frustrate a lot of teams, gives us a chance to win every night and obviously we have good goaltending.”

Brunner had 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 44 games for Detroit. He added five goals and nine points in 14 playoff games, playing mostly on an effective third line with Joakim Andersson and Gustav Nyquist.

“He played good for us,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “He scored goals, he skated fast, he played with two responsible guys and we liked him. He had energy, he’s a good kid.’’

Said Brunner: “I had a great time there. I’m really happy that they gave me a chance to play in the NHL. Great organization. I have a lot of friends still there.”

Brunner declined to comment on negotiations with the Red Wings in the off-season.

He said he keeps in touch mostly with Justin Abdelkader and Pavel Datsyuk.

Brunner said of being scratched against his former club: “Obviously I want to play every game. It’s too bad I’m scratched tonight, but I’m going to be ready for the next game I play.”

DeBoer said he considered playing Brunner against his former teammates, but added, “That probably tells you the point we’re at with him where he’s not in tonight.”