Lindy Ruff, the head coach of the New Jersey Devils, gave two strong reasons for their defeat.

Lindy Ruff, the head coach of the New Jersey Devils, gave two strong reasons for their defeat.

Devils Return to Action Following a Two-Day Break | NOTEBOOK Bowers
January 9, 2024

After a two-day break, the Devils are back in the rink, getting ready for a three-game road trip that will see them play the Lightning and Panthers in Florida before traveling to Boston to take on the Bruins.

Jack Hughes and Ondrej Palat, who are still dealing with their injuries, missed Tuesday’s practice. As a result, the Devils had to call up multiple players who were practicing in order to fill a lineup.

Max Willman joined the team over the weekend in preparation for their game against the Canucks, while Shane Bowers and Cal Foote were called up from Utica on Tuesday morning.

The New Jersey Devils’ injury list is getting longer, and head coach Lindy Ruff is taking longer to update his players’ statuses. Following practice on Tuesday, Ruff gave the following player updates:

Regarding Jack Hughes:

It will take weeks, not months, to resolve Jack’s case. We’ll only assess him on a weekly basis. That’s good news, in my opinion, so let’s all just keep monitoring him week by week to see how he develops.

Regarding athletes such as Timo Meier, Tomas Nosek, and Ondrej Palat:

“We do not anticipate their immediate return. Timo is most likely the guy who is progressing the closest (Meier). Thus, we will simply continue to assess those guys on a daily basis.”

More on Timo Meier from Ruff:

He has been skating on his own, but not very much. We’ll keep giving him practice time, even though he hasn’t had any. He can practice with us as soon as he feels ready, which falls into the “sooner rather than later” category, in my opinion.

Play Video Ruff provides updates on the injured players for the Devils.

Without the Siegs
The Devils’ injury list keeps getting longer, and this morning Jonas Siegenthaler was placed on injured reserve. Early in the second period, against the Vancouver Canucks, Siegenthaler blocked a shot. Following the game, head coach Lindy Ruff revealed that Siegenthaler had a broken foot.

The team also recalled forward Shane Bowers and defenseman Cal Foote as a balancing move.

Here is an update on Lindy Ruff’s recovery timeline, which he provided as best he could given the injury.

“The recovery period after breaking your foot will likely last from week to week. With that kind of injury, you can often reach a certain point—possibly even a three-week mark—and begin to feel fairly well. I think that’s all I have to offer you.

MACL1104 Shane Bowers during a Devils workout 1/19/24

The AHL and NHL teams work well together because the Comets strive to maintain an AHL structure that is comparable to that of New Jersey’s in order to best prepare players for when they get the opportunity to play in the National Hockey League. Even though they aren’t the same, having similar qualities can help a player who is trying out for the Devils much more easily.

Bowers remarked, “Obviously, the Devils are a fast team, and I think this system is kind of built off playing with speed and playing fast; we’ve been trying to do a lot of that down in Utica. We have a lot of similar systems with the D-zone, the forecheck, and stuff like that.” All I’m doing is attempting to include that in my game.”

“We use the same system,” Foote continued. “I believe it’s to facilitate the transition and support this team’s success.” The forwards are supporting the defense and attempting to get the puck out as quickly as possible while it’s smothering the corner.

Both Foote and Willman have already been called up by the team this season. While Foote played 50 NHL games last season, split between the Lightning and Predators, Willman only made four appearances with the Devils this season.

“It’s been some time and might take a little bit to adjust to the speed and the caliber of players, but I’ve been here before,” Foote said following the game. “I’ve been up with this team and practicing, and I’ve played in the past, so I know it’s coming, and I’m ready for the challenge.”

“I think just trying to use my speed on the forecheck and get in will bring energy,” Willman said. “Definitely, just be responsible on our own end, and if I can chip in every now and then, it’s always a bonus.”