The New Jersey Devils got some bad news on Wednesday. Interim head coach Travis Green told reporters that defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler will be out “for an extended period of time” with a concussion.
Siegenthaler was injured in the Devils’ Monday night game against the New York Rangers when forward Matt Rempe delivered an elbow to the New Jersey defenseman in the second period.
Rempe was given a five-minute major for elbowing and a game misconduct. Devils’ defenseman Kurtis MacDermind unsuccessfully attempted to fight Rempe, and he earned a 10-minute misconduct.
Through 49 games this season, Siegenthaler a goal and eight assists for nine points. Now in his sixth NHL season, the Swiss defender has eight goals and 49 assists for 57 points in 304 career games. Before Monday’s game, the 26-year-old was second among Devils in blocked shots with 77 and fifth in average ice time with 19:35.
Siegenthaler had already missed 16 games in 2023-24 with a broken foot, and the Devils’ inability to play him with usual partner Dougie Hamilton, out for the year with a torn pec, has contributed to their defensive struggles.
The Devils are 31-30-4 with 66 points, sixth in the Metropolitan Division with 17 games to go. They are six points behind the New York Islanders for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Their next game is Thursday in Texas as they face the Dallas Stars. They round out the weekend with road games against the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday and a Sunday matinee against the Vegas Golden Knights.
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