- The Devils have once again flipped backup goalies as they’ve recalled Nico Daws from AHL Utica and sent Akira Schmid down, per the AHL’s transactions log. The opposite move was made on Thursday which allowed Daws to get into a game with the Comets to stay in game shape where he made 26 saves on 28 shots against Rochester.
Devils Rumors
Andreas Johnsson Suffers Lower-Body Injury
New Jersey Devils forward Andreas Johnsson suffered a lower-body injury during warmups today against the Pittsburgh Penguins, thereby holding him out of the game, per head coach Lindy Ruff.
In his place, Marian Studenic drew into the lineup for the 16th time this season. The Devils lost the game to Pittsburgh 4-2.
Johnsson’s been one of the Devils’ best forwards in what’s been an overall tough season for the team and their offense. Always a good playmaker, he’s improved his overall offensive game this season and is on an 82-game pace of 20 goals.
This was Johnsson’s third missed game of the season. Through 46 contests, he has 11 goals and 26 points in 46 games.
The team has yet to issue a further status update on Johnsson or the severity of his injury.
Dougie Hamilton Closer To Returning
New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton isn’t returning to the ice for the team’s Super Bowl Sunday matchup against Pittsburgh, but Devils team reporter Amanda Stein says he’s getting closer to returning to the lineup from a jaw injury that’s kept him out of the lineup since the beginning of January. Hamilton has been practicing with the team but is still getting comfortable with the helmet protection required for him to safely play as his jaw continues to recover. New Jersey has won just four out of 15 games with Hamilton out of the lineup. They undoubtedly miss his production and play-driving ability from the back end.
Bratt, Kuokkanen Out; Hughes Activated From COVID Protocol
- The New Jersey Devils will be without Jesper Bratt and Janne Kuokkanen when they play tomorrow afternoon, as both are out with injury. Bratt is dealing with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day, while Kuokkanen is still out with the wrist injury that has kept him from playing the last two. Jack Hughes, out of the COVID protocol, will be back in the lineup after his impressive All-Star performance.
Devils Receiving Interest In Pavel Zacha
The Devils are receiving some interest in forward Pavel Zacha, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports in his latest 32 Thoughts column. The 24-year-old is on pace for a career season offensively and has 22 points in 45 games this season while splitting time between center and the wing. New Jersey’s top two spots down the middle are more or less set for the better part of the next decade so it’s certainly understandable why some teams may be sniffing around. Zacha has one season of RFA eligibility remaining and will be able to file for arbitration this summer. He’s subject to the old rule for qualifying offers which means his $3MM salary is what he’ll need to be offered to maintain his rights.
Devils Notes: Hamilton, White, Ruff
After the news of Jack Hughes entering COVID-19 protocol today, Devils fans are understandably stressed. There’s some good news on the horizon, though, as it appears defenseman Dougie Hamilton is making progress towards his return to the lineup. Team reporter Amanda Stein said today that although Hamilton did not join his teammates for practice today, the veteran defenseman did skate by himself this morning. Hamilton’s been limited to 30 of 45 games this season with various injuries, but he’s now been out of the lineup for over a month with a broken jaw. His 20 points in 30 games are by far the best scoring pace by a Devils defenseman this season, and while his defensive game has stuttered a few times this season, expect more consistent playing time in his new system to aid with that.
More notes from the Devils organization:
- The team made a shift on defense today, calling up defenseman Colton White from the AHL’s Utica Comets. While Mason Geertsen can play defense, he’s been utilized mostly at forward this season when in the lineup. With that, the Devils had no extra healthy defensemen with the team with the dissipation of taxi squads across the league over the All-Star break. White brings 15 games of NHL experience this year back to the roster, notching three assists.
- Stein also reports that head coach Lindy Ruff will return to the team later today in Ottawa ahead of their game against the Senators tomorrow. Ruff was away from the team in Western Canada after the passing of his father. Assistant Alain Nasreddine coached the team in his absence and ran the team’s practice today.
Devils Add Jack Hughes To COVID-19 Protocol
New Jersey Devils center and recent NHL All-Star Game champion Jack Hughes has landed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list, per the team.
Hughes was in Las Vegas just yesterday playing in the All-Star Game and was around the league’s top competition all weekend, obviously sparking some concern that Hughes could be the first player of a potential outbreak to come out of the event as players return to their teams.
Devils team reporter Amanda Stein reported that Hughes “momentarily” joined his teammates on the ice for practice today, but was soon pulled from the ice.
Hughes is second on the Devils in points with 27, but has achieved the number in just 28 games due to injury, playing at nearly a point-per-game pace. He trails linemate Jesper Bratt, whose breakout year has seen him pot 14 goals and 27 assists for 41 points in 42 games.
With Hughes out of the lineup, it could mean elevated ice time for rookie Dawson Mercer, who’s impressed in his first set of NHL games this year. He’s fifth on the team with 23 points, averaging a tick over 16 minutes a night.
Devils' Fitzgerald Speaks About Deadline Plans
The New Jersey Devils sure don’t sound like they’re looking for draft picks anymore. General manager Tom Fitzgerald spoke with Mike Morreale of NHL.com and mentioned the term “hockey trade” more than once, while admitting that they still haven’t made a decision on how the deadline will play out for their pending unrestricted free agents.
The Devils already have several high-end young players on the roster, so it makes sense that they would want to add to that group instead of looking a few years down the road with any additional draft picks. When Jack Hughes’ huge extension kicks in next season the pressure will be on to start competing for a playoff spot, especially after handing out a $63MM contract to Dougie Hamilton last summer. P.K. Subban and Jimmy Vesey are the team’s two more notable players on expiring deals, though neither one would be expected to bring back a very valuable asset.
Nico Daws Recalled From AHL
- The New Jersey Devils have recalled Nico Daws to the NHL roster today despite the All-Star break already being underway, sending Akira Schmid back to Utica in his place. While the Comets have a back-to-back starting tonight against the Laval Rocket and could be using it as a way to keep Schmid sharp, it will be interesting to see if Daws gets another look with the Devils down the stretch. The 21-year-old goaltender played twice in October, but with MacKenzie Blackwood’s season still up in the air perhaps he’ll get another shot to try and show what he can do at the NHL level. Daws, a third-round pick in 2020, has a .917 save percentage in 17 games for Utica this season.
Blackwood Getting Second Opinion On Heel Injury
- One other note from Friedman’s column regards New Jersey Devils goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood and his heel injury. The netminder is getting a second opinion over what treatment method to pursue and there is no timeline for his recovery. Blackwood last played on January 19, allowing four goals on 17 shots to the Arizona Coyotes.