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Devils defenseman Eric Gelinas on playing forward: "It's not that difficult."

(Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger)

NEWARK— Eric Gelinas got his first taste of playing forward in the NHL against the Toronto Maple Leafs Sunday night with a half-dozen shifts as a rover.



Apparently, it will not be a one-time event since the rookie defenseman again skated up front during the Devils' VIP practice in front of fans Tuesday morning in Prudential Center.



"They call the position rover. I don't know what's going on. I switched jerseys twice today, so I have to be ready for anything, I guess," Gelinas said with a smile.



More than half of his 10 shifts against the Maple Leafs were at forward. Gelinas had one power play shift and one on defense.



"I played forward before until I was in midgets, so it's not that unfamiliar," Gelinas said. "Obviously it's a way higher level than I used to play forward. All I did was try to skate hard and try to use my body to get on the forecheck. We actually almost scored on one of the rushes. It's not that difficult. You just need to think a little differently, I would say."



The reason for playing the 22-year-old rookie as a forward is twofold. Coach Pete DeBoer feels more comfortable using veterans on defense in these critical games (with Anton Volchenkov out, Peter Harrold stepped in) and Gelinas has a good shot and skating skills to play the wing.



"I'm trying really hard to do everything they tell me to do," Gelinas said. "The games are really tight right now and we need to win. If they feel more comfortable with more defensive players and veterans, I completely understand that.



"I'm a big guy and I'm pretty fast. If I can bring some energy, which is what I was trying to do last game as a forward, when the power play comes I do what I do. It's all about helping the team. If everyone does their job, I think we can win some games. We have a good group here. I'm really not focused about where I play. I'm just trying to help out."



If Gelinas were to be converted to a full-time forward, that would be shocking. But, for now, he could see more time there than on defense.



"Petey (Harrold) didn't play for a while and he's been in the league a lot longer than I've been. He's a really good player. I thought he and Jon (Merrill) played a really good game," Gelinas said. "I'm not taking it personal at all. It's way better than sitting in the stands, that's for sure.



"I'll try to do whatever I can to help the team. In practices I'm working in the defensive part that they want me to work on. I'm sure if it was the beginning of the season it would be different. But right now with 10 games left, there is no margin for error. So I fully understand the situation."