On an otherwise quiet Sunday – if you’re not out celebrating the ‘real’ St. Patrick’s Day – the Devils sent first-rounder Stefan Matteau back to his junior team of Blainville-Boisbriand in time so he would be eligible for the QJMHL playoffs, which are set to begin this week.  With Matteau only playing on and off (one goal, two assists in 17 GP) it was an easy decision for GM Lou Lamoriello to make.  After the Armada’s season ends, Matteau is then eligible to either go to Albany – who are themselves in a playoff run – or return to New Jersey.  As Lou said though, this was the best thing for the 19-year old Matteau’s development, adding ‘We know what we have there.  He’s going to be a size and strength forward in this organization for a long time’.

While it’s true the Devils burned a year off his entry-level deal by keeping him beyond the five-game limit, they did avoid another more crucial deadline – by sending him down before his 23rd game he doesn’t accrue another year toward free agency.  Seeing as Matteau had been a scratch the prior three games before playing barely five minutes last night, the writing was on the wall.  He’ll be back sooner rather than later though.  And if nothing else, at least he was able to get his feet wet and get his first NHL points under his belt.  It would be a tremendous success if he had a nice playoffs for his junior team, then got in some time in Albany before coming back for good.

New Jersey didn’t immediately announce a replacement for Matteau on the roster.  Perhaps the hurt Henrik Tallinder is ready to play, or at least ready to practice and take a place in the healthy scratches box.  Obviously the Devils would have to shed a forward to accomodate eight healthy defensemen.  Danius Zubrus is skating but not practicing with a stick yet, so he’s still a few games away at best.  Martin Brodeur may participate in practice tomorrow depending on how he feels, and he’s been skating and taking shots so perhaps his return is more imminent.