Snapshots: Graves, Stanley, Gauthier
The Devils have yet to begin discussions regarding defenseman Ryan Graves, his agent Allain Roy confirmed to James Nichols of The Fourth Period. The 27-year-old is in the final season of a three-year, $9.5MM contract and has 16 points in 42 games for New Jersey so far this year despite seeing his playing time dip by nearly two minutes a night compared to 2021-22. He’s well-positioned to earn at least a small raise that could push him toward the $5MM mark on his next deal. At the moment, the Devils only have four regular blueliners signed for next season with Damon Severson joining Graves among the UFA-eligible defenders this summer. They already have nearly $19MM in commitments to the four they have so they might not want to keep both Graves and Severson in the fold for next season knowing those two could push the combined cost on their back end past the $30MM mark.
Elsewhere around the NHL:
- Jets defenseman Logan Stanley wasn’t in the lineup tonight against Philadelphia but associate coach Scott Arniel told Jeff Hamilton of the Winnipeg Free Press (Twitter link) that the blueliner could be ready to return on Tuesday. Stanley has been out of the lineup for a little more than six weeks with a lower-body injury. The 24-year-old has been limited to just seven games this season which is a hardly ideal platform year for someone eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this summer.
- The Rangers are optimistic that winger Julien Gauthier will be able to return Monday against Florida, notes Ethan Sears of the New York Post. The 25-year-old has missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury and is currently on injured reserve although a roster spot was created when Jonny Brodzinski was sent down after clearing waivers earlier today. Gauthier started the season with AHL Hartford but has six goals in 32 games with New York since being recalled despite averaging just 8:29 per night.
New Jersey Devils Activate Ryan Graves
According to a team announcement, the New Jersey Devils have activated defenseman Ryan Graves off injured reserve today.
Graves has missed the past three games after sustaining a lower-body injury early in a December 21 game against the Florida Panthers. The Devils have gone 1-2-0 in his absence.
The skilled defensive defenseman has nine points in 33 games this season, and he leads all Devils defensemen with a rating of +18. He’s spent most of the campaign on a premier shutdown pairing with John Marino, who’s out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
New Jersey is in a bit of a slide after a franchise-record stretch earlier in the season, and they’re just 2-7-1 in their past 10 games. They’re hoping a bit cleaner bill of health helps stop the slide.