The Devils flew under the radar for most of the off-season in the hockey news realm. Their major news in the free agency period included the signings of Bobby Holik and Brian Rolston, who are both returning to New Jersey for their second run with the Devils.

Even though it seemed all quiet on the Devils front, there were actually a few noteworthy moments over the summer. Here are a few of their highlights:

1. Martin Brodeur claimed the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's Top Goaltender for the fourth time in the past five seasons. This year the Vezina was the closest race in any award category. Brodeur collected 113 votes to Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov's 106 votes.

2. Former New Jersey Devil Igor Larionov was one of two players elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the player category. Larionov became a legend in NHL history when he became one of two Russian players that were instrumental in breaking through the barrier that stopped Soviet players from playing in the National Hockey League. He is considered one of the best passers of all time. Larionov won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings (1997, 1998, 2002), and finished his NHL career with the Devils in 2003-04.

3. Beloved play-by-play broadcaster Mike Emrick (the voice of the NHL) will receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.

4. Devils re-signed Sheldon Brookbank, Mike Mottau, Jay Pandolfo, Bryce Salvador, David Clarkson, Barry Tallackson and Rod Pelley.

5. Devils signed Fedor Fedorov, Matthew Spiller, Jay Leach, Jon DiSalvatore and Chad Wiseman to new contracts.

6. Anssi Salmela (D) was signed to his first North American contract. Salmela played for Tappara (Fin.) in 2007-08 and recorded 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points in 56 games.

7. During the 2008 NHL Draft, the Devils selected: Mattias Tedenby, Brandon Burlon, Patrice Cormier, Adam Henrique, Matt Delahey, Kory Nagy, David Wohlberg, Harry Young and Jean-Sebastien Berube.

8. Kevin Cormier (brother of Devils' 2008 Draft pick Patrice Cormier) was acquired from Phoenix for Sean Zimmerman.

Devils will open the 2008-09 regular season on Friday, October 10th against the New York Islanders at Prudential Center.

The Shanahan Rumor

Still no word yet if Brendan Shanahan will return to the New Jersey Devils. He was invited to attend Camp with the New York Rangers, but as of Friday, September 19th, he still has not received a contract from the New York Rangers.

Rumor has it that the Devils have expressed interest to Shanahan's agent. Shanahan is reportedly waiting until September 27th (prior to the team leaving for Europe for their exhibition games in Berne, Switzerland and Prague, Czech Republic) before he will entertain offers from other teams.