Sad news: Due to catastrophic situations, the top player in New Jersey will retire.
NEWARK, New Jersey A little more than a week has passed since the New Jersey Devils’ 2023–24 season began. The team finished with a 1-1-1 record after losing to the Florida Panthers and Arizona Coyotes in consecutive games.
There has been a lot going on off the ice, even as the team keeps figuring out the best lineups. A summary of some of the most important stories from the last few days can be found below.
New Jersey Devils Headlines: Connor Bedard topped Jack Hughes in sales of the jerseys that have been in high demand since June, according to NHL Public Relations.
Speaking of Hughes, he has scored three points in his first three games of the campaign. He has two goals and four assists thus far. His six points in the team’s opening three games of the season tied the franchise record for the most points scored by a Devils player. Alongside him are Jesper Bratt, Greg Adams, Mel Bridgeman, Brian Gionta, John MacLean, and Kyle Palmieri.
The NHL Rank: Top-100 player predictions for the 2023–24 season was just released by ESPN. Jesper Bratt (81), Tyler Toffoli (65), Timo Meier (58), Dougie Hamilton (49), Nico Hischier (31), and Jack Hughes (4) are among the players who made their list.
Report on Injury
Nolan Foote (upper body), Nico Daws (offseason hip labrum surgery), Brian Halonen (lower body), and Keith Kinkaid (upper body) were the Devils’ four injured players at the start of the season.
Ever since, veteran versatile player Tomas Nosek has missed one game due to a lower-body injury. He is currently listed as “day-to-day,” and on Tuesday, following the team’s practice, he was spotted sporting a walking boot. Erik Haula, his former teammate with the Vegas Golden Knights, was absent from the team’s Thursday practice due to an upper-body injury. Both players are probably going to be left out of the starting lineup on Friday when the team takes on the New York Islanders, according to head coach Lindy Ruff.
“Where they’re at, I don’t think they’re game-time (decisions),” said Ruff. He continued by saying he didn’t think either forward would travel to Long Island.
Colin Miller crashed into the boards during practice on Thursday, and even though he skated to the bench by himself, he looked to be in a lot of pain. They went to the locker room after the trainer and they spent a few minutes on the bench.
Ruff remarked, “No news on (Miller) yet.” I’m just awaiting word.”
Miller, who was added to the Devils during the summer, has been playing defense as a backup and has not yet made his regular season debut.
Now, there may be a longer wait for those anticipating a call-up for Simon Nemec.
The second overall pick, according to Ben Birnell of the Daily Sentinel, took “an awkward and arguably late hit from Syracuse Crunch forward Cole Koepke” and is currently sidelined since he injured his upper body.
“As of right now, he’s probably doubtful (for Saturday’s game),” Birnell was informed by Comets head coach Kevin Dineen.
Link: Nolan Foote of the Devils will be out for a long time due to an injury
Santeri Hatakka, a defenseman for Utica, is also questionable for Saturday’s game against the Bridgeport Islanders due to a lower-body injury. Hatakka is “regarded as one of the first call-up options,” according to Birnell.
Assigned to the Chicago Wolves, Kinkaid cleared waivers
Waivers were formally approved by Kinkaid on Wednesday, October 18.
The goalie signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Devils on September 13; however, on July 18, he also signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Wolves, an independent team in the American Hockey League.
Allain Roy, Kinkaid’s agent, previously gave THN’s Stefen Rosner an explanation for why his client decided to sign with the Devils after signing with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves on July 18, 2023.
“The Devils wanted more depth at the goaltending position and are very familiar and comfortable with Keith,” he stated. “He has good experience in the NHL and can step in when needed.”
Daws is recuperating from surgery, so in Utica, Erik Kallgren and Isaac Poulter are managing the net.
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