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Adam Henrique (right with Andy Greene during the playoffs) is getting closer to a return.

(Photo by Ed Mulholland/US Presswire)

Devils coach Pete DeBoer said this morning center Adam Henrique is less than two weeks away from returning.

Henrique has been sidelined since undergoing surgery Nov. 29 to re-attach a ligament in his left thumb. He has been skating on his own.

"I would call it a week to 10 days," DeBoer said of when Henrique might return.

DeBoer said there are no issues with Travis Zajac and Jacob Josefson, who sat out practice yesterday but will play tonight.

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The 2011-12 Eastern Conference champions banner is already hanging in the Prudential Center rafters and the Devils will not make a big deal out of it before the home opener.

"I think you know my boss," DeBoer said. "I don't think there are any parades for second place."

Nevertheless, the team is proud of getting to the Stanley Cup Finals.

"Sure there is significance," DeBoer said. "I'm very proud of what our group accomplished last year, even though we fell short. Every year you look at a team an use the addage, 'Did they empty the tank?' I really believe we did last year even though we didn't win.

"There is nothing worse than going into a summer where you know your team didn't empty their tank and give you everything they have. That wasn't the case last year. I'm very proud of our accomplishments."

Veteran like Martin Brodeur and Patrik Elias will have to gear up mentally up for another run.

"I don't think that will be an issue. They have a history of winning here on a regular basis. Those guys thrive on that," DeBoer said. "You could see it last year. I saw it firsthand. They all found another level at a critical time. That's why there are multiple Stanley Cup champions in that room. That's what they play for, that time of year, so I don't think that's an issue for us."

Getting to the playoffs will be a grind.

"I think they know in a 48-game schedule there is very little margin for error and we're going to have to do some heavy lifting early in order to give ourselves that opportunity again."

The 2012 run seemed to restore some confidence to the team.

"I think so. I sensed a little bit of confidence issues early last year," DeBoer noted. "I think you saw that through our first-round series. They had had some first-round exits and hadn't won a lot of home playoff games the previous five or six years. I think we battled a little bit with that and exercised those demons. I don't think that's an issue now."

DeBoer doesn't worry about a letdown from his team after an opening night win.

“Sure you address it. You look around the league and see some of the teams that had great opening nights and fall off the next game. All those warning signs are there," he said. "I think our group is in a good place mentally and I think they’ll be ready to play.”

The Devils' relatively easy schedule helps.

“It’s an advantage right now. We’re going to play that bill later down the road when we have to jam those games in at other different points," DeBoer said. "But I like the fact we’re a little slower to start.”

Asked if the Devils will benefit from not having a head coaching change before this season, DeBoer smiled.



"Obviously continuity is something I think helps. I think the Coach's Associating would agree with that," he said with a laugh.

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Unsigned winger Mathieu Darche took part in the morning skate but has not been offered a contract yet.

"No news," Darche said.

He may ask to accompany the team to Montreal even if he is unsigned.

"I'll see. If I'm not signed by then I may ask Lou (Lamoriello) to go so I can see my family. There are two games between now and then. We'll see what happens."

Rich Chere: rchere@starledger.com; twitter.com/Ledger_NJDevils