Marek Zidlicky is back in New Jersey. Zidlicky was playing for the Czech Republic's Kladno. He had three goals and 25 points in 25 games with the squad. He returned to North America for family reasons.

Marek Zidlicky scored a goal and registered two assists in Kladno's 3-0 victory over Karlovy Vary. Tomas Plekanec and Jaromir Jagr each had a goal and an assist for Kladno. Jagr, Zidlicky, and Plekanec are the team's leading scorers with Jagr posting a team-high 38 points in 23 Czech games.

Marek Zidlicky had a goal and an assist in Kladno's 4-3 victory against Plzen. Jaromir Jagr registered two assists to give him 33 points in just 21 Czech games. Tomas Plekanec assisted on three of Kladno's four goals.

Marek Zidlicky scored a goal in a 3-1 win for Kladno of the Czech Extraliga over Pardubice Sunday. Zidlicky's marker at 3:43 of the first period opened the scoring and gave Kladno a lead they would never relinquish. Fellow NHLer Tomas Kaberle also found the back of the net in the victory.

Marek Zidlicky posted two assists in Kladno's 3-2 loss to Karlovy Vary. Zidlicky struggled to find his offensive game last season, with only 22 points in 63 games between Minnesota and New Jersey, but he'll get plenty of opportunities to return to form once the lockout ends.

According to unconfirmed reports, Marek Zidlicky is expected to sign with HC Kladno in the Czech Republic. Kladno has reportedly already added some NHLers at forward with the signings of Jaromir Jagr, Tomas Plekanec and Jiri Tlusty, so gaining a defenseman like Zidlicky would help them even more.

Marek Zidlicky didn't take part in Wednesday's optional skate, but he is expected to play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Devils' main group skated with five defensemen as a result. Zidlicky has recorded one goal and seven assists in 18 playoff games, while being credited with 33 hits, 25 blocked shots and 39 shots of his own. He has also averaged over 24 minutes of ice time per contest.

Marek Zidlicky will be playing against the team that drafted him, the New York Rangers, in the Eastern Conference Finals. Zidlicky was taken with the 176th overall pick in 2001, but he never ended up playing for New York. "They said they wanted me," Zidlicky said. "They had a lot of meetings after the draft. I said, 'If you give me a one-way contract I will go there and I will fight for a place on the team.' But it didn't happen. They wanted to sign me to a two-way contract." Zidlicky played for HIFK Helsinki of the SM-liiga instead. The Rangers dealt his rights to the Nashville Predators as part of the Mike Dunham deal.

Marek Zidlicky sustained a whiplash-type injury in Game Five against the Flyers. He seems to be recovering, though, as he practiced with his Devil teammates Saturday. That said, Zidlicky's status for Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Rangers Monday is not known at this time. We suspect he will play, but don't bank on it.

Marek Zidlicky said his undisclosed injury is a muscular problem. "It's not a concussion," Zidlicky said. "It's not my head. It's more my muscles." He participated in Saturday's practice and is probable for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.