With three days between games this week, the New Jersey Devils received an off day following an intense practice and bag skate. The Devils are dealing with a few injuries throughout their system from the American Hockey League to the varsity squad. With no action on the ice on Wednesday, let’s get up to date on the Devils’ injuries in the latest injury report.
Erik Haula
Prior to the start of the regular season, Erik Haula was sidelined with what was described as a “nagging injury.” However, the Devils declared Haula good to go for opening night.
On Tuesday, Haula was absent from New Jersey’s morning skate. Michael McLeod bumped up to the third line between Ondrej Palat and Alexander Holtz. Curtis Lazar centered the fourth line between Chris Tierney and Nathan Bastian. According to Ruff, Haula is dealing with an upper-body injury. No timetable was provided. The Devils take on the New York Islanders on Friday.
Tomas Nosek
Tomas Nosek appears to have been injured in New Jersey’s second game against the Arizona Coyotes. He played in just 11:58 in the game and had his last shift with two minutes left in the third period. The Devils winger didn’t dress in New Jersey’s third game against the Florida Panthers on Monday.
Ruff disclosed on Tuesday that the 31-year-old forward is day-to-day, but he “really doesn’t have a timeline.” Adds it’s more of a “pain threshold” thing.
According to Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com, Nosek was spotted at Prudential Center walking around in a boot.
Simon Nemec
Fans of New Jersey have been clamoring for Simon Nemec to receive a call-up with their slow start to the season.
Unfortunately, even if that was an option for the organization, it’ll have to wait a little while longer. Nemec became injured in a game against the Syracuse Crunch on October 13th. He’s been out of game action since and hasn’t been a participant in practice either.
According to Ben Birnell of the Daily Sentinel, “(Utica Comets Head Coach Kevin Dineen) mentioned he’s ‘probably doubtful’ for Saturday at Bridgeport. But, it is Tuesday, and ‘there are good early signs’ with regard to return from an upper-body injury.”
Further, Birnell states Nemec is around the arena, rather than away from the team.
Santeri Hatakka
If anyone is going to compete with Nemec for a call-up, it’s Santeri Hatakka. However, when it rains, it pours. Hatakka is also dealing with bumps and bruises and didn’t practice on Tuesday either. In the game following Nemec’s injury, it appears Hatakka was injured in the first period and never returned against the Toronto Marlies.
The 22-year-old Finnish forward, much like Nemec, is questionable for Saturday’s AHL action against the Bridgeport Islanders.
On the Shelf
Those remaining injured in the Devils system are Nolan Foote (projected return around Thanksgiving), Brian Halonen, Kyle Criscuolo, Ryan Fitzgerald, and Nico Daws (projected return January 2024). Keith Kinkaid, also banged up, is on waivers, which indicates his potential return to full health.
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