Metro Notes: Zibanejad, Haula, Tatar, Engvall
The New York Rangers have made the brazen decision to scratch team captain Jacob Trouba, in anticipation of a trade or waiver placement. But the team isn’t looking to shake things up too much further, with Mollie Walker of the New York Post sharing that centerman Mika Zibanejad has yet to waive his no-movement clause. Zibanejad’s name has been side-by-side with Trouba’s in fan discussions about the team’s issues. He’s in the third year of an eight-year, $60MM contract – carrying a cap hit of $8.5MM each season. The deal features a full no-movement clause in every season, something that’s become quickly contentious as Zibanejad has struggled to make a mark off the puck this season.
To his credit, Zibanejad still has five goals and 18 points in 24 games this season. Still, that’s an 82-game pace of just 62 points – Zibanejad’s lowest scoring pace since the 2017-18 season. Four of his goals have come at even-strength, but his assists are nearly perfectly-split between five-on-five and special teams. That’s undermined Zibanejad’s role in the top-six, not helped along by a -14 showing off his defensive woes. There seemingly has to be more for the 31-year-old centerman who scored 39 goals and 91 points just two seasons ago – and who has received Selke Trophy votes in four of the last five seasons. For now, the Rangers will look to rediscover those talents internally – while they sort through a similar situation with their top defender.
More notes from the Metro Division:
- The New Jersey Devils will see the return of both Erik Haula and Tomas Tatar on Friday, per NHL.com’s Amanda Stein. Tatar has missed the team’s last two games with a lower-body injury in the Devils’ last Friday matchup against Detroit. He logged just six shifts and three minutes of ice time before stepping away with a lower-body injury that game, but still found a way to record an assist – bringing him up to four points in his last five games. Tatar will return to the lineup with nine points in 26 games this season, operating out of New Jersey’s bottom-six. He’ll be joined in that assignment by centerman Haula, who missed practices this week with an undisclosed injury. Haula hasn’t missed any gametime, and returns to full health with five goals, 11 points, and 46 shots through 28 games this season.
- The New York Islanders will be scratching forward Pierre Engvall on Saturday. When asked about the decision, head coach Patrick Roy told Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News, “I know Pierre is trying hard, and we are all trying hard. Right now, maybe, my expectations are higher than what he’s been showing. That’s all it is.” Engvall has been a contentious piece of the Islanders lineup. He posted a three-game scoring streak earlier in the month, but has no points and a -4 in six games since – while rotating through New York’s bottom-six. He’ll now head to the press box, creating room for Kyle MacLean and Hudson Fasching to earn more ice time.
Devils Notes: Hardman, Trade Market, Haula
The Devils announced Tuesday that they’ve reassigned winger Mike Hardman to AHL Utica.
New Jersey recalled Hardman yesterday ahead of their 5-1 win over the Rangers. The 25-year-old skated 8:24 in his Devils debut as their fourth-line left wing alongside fellow call-ups Justin Dowling and Nathan Legare, attempting one shot and recording two blocks and two hits while losing his lone faceoff attempt.
The Devils have shaken up their depth forwards frequently in recent days amid the indefinite absences of Nathan Bastian (jaw) and Curtis Lazar (knee), giving AHL mainstays like Adam Beckman and Shane Bowers some looks. Hardman may get another crack in the lineup, but with New Jersey off until Friday against Seattle, it makes little sense to keep a waiver-eligible player on a two-way deal on the active roster unless necessary.
Hardman is fifth on Utica in scoring this season with five goals and three assists for eight points through 10 games. He’s in his first season in the Devils organization after spending the previous three years and change with the Blackhawks and their AHL affiliate in Rockford.
There’s more out of the Garden State:
- While the Devils are content for now to give some of their minor-league depth a crack at NHL minutes, it’s not a long-term solution. Their top priority ahead of the trade deadline will be adding a fourth-line center and a top-nine piece if possible, general manager Tom Fitzgerald told Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. “I’ve been in touch with teams. … I’m looking for utility players, I guess — guys who can skate,” Fitzgerald said. “I like size and versatility and guys who can play in the middle and on the wing.” Lazar checked most of those boxes, but there’s no certainty about whether he’ll be available again this season. It’s a return to a buyer mentality on the trade market for the Devils, who were largely sellers at last year’s deadline but have rebounded to a 17-9-2 record and a 96% chance at postseason action, per The Athletic.
- New Jersey may have suffered another hit to their depth forward corps with center Erik Haula being evaluated for an undisclosed injury, head coach Sheldon Keefe told the team’s Amanda Stein. He’s day-to-day but hasn’t been ruled out for Friday’s contest, Keefe added. The 33-year-old has five goals and 11 points in 28 games this year, although his 14:52 average time on ice is his lowest since the 2016-17 campaign.
Devils Recall Mike Hardman, Nathan Legare; Assign Shane Bowers
The New Jersey Devils have recalled forwards Mike Hardman and Nathan Legare, and assigned forward Shane Bowers. Bowers will head back to the minors after a week on the NHL roster. He stepped into three games on this call-up, recording no socring, a -2, and two penalty minutes while averaging a little over eight minutes of ice time.
New Jersey will swap out the unproductive Bowers with veteran minor-leaguers Hardman and Legare. Only the former has played in the NHL, stepping into 37 games with the Chicago Blackhawks between 2020 and 2023. He scored three points in his first eight career games, but only added two assists in the proceeding 29. Hardman has also amassed 174 games across four seasons in the AHL. He started his career there with similar productivity – netting 32 points in his first 43 games – but he’s only added 63 points in 131 games since. Legare has been even less productive, with just three points, all goals, in 18 games this season. He’s managed just 50 points in four seasons and 197 career games in the AHL.
Hardman seems to be the more likely of the two to step into the lineup, receiving a well-timed call-up after winning the AHL’s ‘Player of the Week’ award with seven points in a three-game span.
Hardman’s call-up comes at a good time, just days after he won the AHL’s ‘Player of the Week’ award with seven points in a three-game span last week. His NHL precedent likely makes him New Jersey’s next-man-up, though both call-ups could line up with New Jersey bearing with injuries to Curtis Lazar, Nathan Bastian, and Tomas Tatar.
Tomáš Tatar Out Day-To-Day With Lower-Body Injury
- Jim Biringer of RG Media shared that the New Jersey Devils will be without forward Tomáš Tatar this evening due to a lower-body injury. The ailment was likely suffered in the team’s most recent game yesterday evening against the Detroit Red Wings. Tatar has recorded three goals and nine points in his first 26 games for the Devils since the 2022-23 NHL season.
[SOURCE LINK]
New Jersey Devils Reassign Nolan Foote
Nolan Foote is headed back to the American Hockey League after a short two-game stretch with the New Jersey Devils. The Devils organization announced they’ve reassigned Foote to their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.
Foote could be recalled before New Jersey’s upcoming back-to-back games against the Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals, respectively. He’s making slightly above the league minimum salary ($825K) giving the Devils a one-day window for salary cap capture.
He’s primarily played on the third line in two appearances for New Jersey this season. He’s failed to register any points while averaging 10:46 of ice time per game but has posted a solid 60.5% CorsiFor% in limited action.
Foote is in his fifth season at the professional level since being drafted with the 27th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft. He’s been a fairly consistent scorer in the AHL with Utica (one season in Binghamton) but hasn’t proven enough to become a full-time NHLer.
Since moving to professional hockey in the 2020-21 season, Foote has scored 48 goals and 99 points in 150 AHL games with another one goal and three points in six postseason contests. Over his lean NHL experience, he’s scored six goals and eight points in 25 games.
Timo Meier Receives One-Game Suspension
1:18 PM: The NHL’s Department of Player Safety didn’t take long to deliberate. They’ve announced a one-game suspension for Meier for his cross-check on L’Heureux last night.
9:29 AM: The National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety has announced that New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier will have a hearing for his cross-check to the face of Nashville Predators forward Zachary L’Heureux. Meier will face supplemental discipline for an incident that occurred at the 12:17 mark of the third period of last night’s game. The penalty forced New Jersey to kill off a five-minute major while the team held a two-goal lead. The Devils went on to win the game by a score of 5-2.
Despite winning the game, the Devils were pushed around for much of the night. Before the Meier cross-checks, L’Heureux caught Devils forward Paul Cotter with a hip check that sent him to the New Jersey bench in obvious discomfort. L’Heureux and Meier then engaged in a battle after the whistle where L’Heureux gave Meier a shot in the back and then Meier hit him back with two cross-checks, the second of which caught the 21-year-old L’Heureux up high.
Meier has never missed any NHL games due to a suspension in his eight-year NHL career but has had to pay out some fines. During his rookie season in 2017-18, he was fined for elbowing then Vancouver Canucks defenseman Michael Del Zotto, then in 2019 he was given a $2000 fine for a second offense of Rule 64, which concerns diving and embellishment.
Meier’s hearing will take place today, and although the NHL hasn’t formally announced whether it will be a phone or in-person hearing, the tight timeline indicates that it will be a phone hearing.
Bowers, Foote, And DeSimone Recalled After Being Demoted Sunday
- A day after the Devils loaned wingers Shane Bowers and Nolan Foote along with defenseman Nick DeSimone to AHL Utica, the trio was recalled today. Sunday’s demotions allowed them to clear LTIR for the day but they are back to using it for the time being now.
[SOURCE LINK]
Jacob Markström To Play 500th Career Game Thursday
- Devils goaltender Jacob Markström will start Thursday against the Hurricanes, according to the club’s Amanda Stein, marking his milestone 500th career appearance. He’ll become the 81st goalie in NHL history to cross the threshold, with Cam Talbot and Andrei Vasilevskiy likely to follow before the New Year. The 34-year-old has provided the stability to New Jersey’s crease they so desperately desired in his first season in the Garden State, posting an 8-5-1 record with a .907 SV% and 2.58 GAA while starting 14 of their 21 games.
Meier And Pesce Miss Practice, Bastian Skates For First Time Since Jaw Injury
- Devils winger Timo Meier (back spasms) and defenseman Brett Pesce (maintenance day) didn’t take part in practice today, relays James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now. However, both players aren’t expected to miss any time. Meanwhile, winger Nathan Bastian returned to practice despite being moved to injured reserve yesterday. He has missed close to three weeks due to a fractured jaw but while he’s now back on the ice, he’s not quite ready to return to the lineup just yet.
New Jersey Announces Several Roster Moves
Before their game in a few days against the division-leading Carolina Hurricanes, the New Jersey Devils are adding more pieces to their roster. The organization announced they have placed Nathan Bastian on long-term injured reserve retroactive to November 1st, Curtis Lazar on injured reserve retroactive to October 27th, and has recalled Shane Bowers, Justin Dowling, Nolan Foote, and Nick DeSimone from their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.
None of the moves are shocking from the cap-conscious Devils who’ve been slowplaying Bastian and Lazar’s designation to capture more salary cap space for the trade deadline. With a projected deadline space of almost $10MM, New Jersey could place both players on their respective injury reserve designations and fill out the rest of the roster.
Bastian has the less serious injury of the two after sustaining a jaw injury during a fight with Calgary Flames forward Ryan Lomberg. He was originally expected to miss several weeks with the injury and if he’s fully recovered, can return on November 26th when the Devils take on the St. Louis Blues. The more serious injury concern lies in Lazar who may finish the year with only 12 games played after undergoing a procedure on his left knee keeping him out indefinitely.
Dowling is the only member of the call-up quartet that has already suited up for New Jersey this season. He was originally recalled to replace the lost minutes of Lazar and has tallied one assist in nine games while averaging 8:13 of ice time.
Foote was an obvious choice for a call-up as the former 27th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft. He’s already accrued 23 games of NHL experience in his young career and was leading the AHL Comets in scoring this season with four goals and nine points in 12 games.
The other two recalls are largely AHL-bound veterans at this point in their respective careers although Bowers may carry some prospect pedigree as a first-round pick of the 2017 NHL Draft. He’s seen his scoring drop precipitously since transitioning to professional hockey in the 2018-19 season scoring a career-high 27 points for the AHL’s Colorado Eagles in 2019-20. DeSimone, who reached a one-year extension with the Devils last season, has already been recalled this season but failed to register any games.
The downstream effects of the roster moves will be greatly felt in the AHL. The Comets have yet to earn a victory this season through 13 games and may have to play this weekend’s contests against the Syracuse Crunch and Rochester Americans without three of their top-10 scorers.