Injury updates and notes from the Devils Sunday morning practice.

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils held a 10:00 A.M. practice at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House on Sunday, Oct. 8. It was the team's first practice since concluding the preseason with a perfect 7-0-0 record.

After practice, head coach Lindy Ruff provided injury updates and revealed that the organization will hold a team bonding retreat from Sunday to Monday.

"We're going to get together as a group. We did it last year. I thought it was a great experience," Ruff said. "Bring everybody together. We talk about being committed and connected. I think this will be a great day for us."

10/08/23 Practice Lines & Defensive Pairings

Per Devils reporter Catherine Bogart:

Timo Meier - Nico Hischier - Dawson Mercer

Tyler Toffoli - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt

Ondrej Palat - Curtis Lazar - Alexander Holtz

Tomas Nosek - Michael McLeod - Nate Bastian

Jonas Siegenthaler - Dougie Hamilton

Kevin Bahl - John Marino

Luke Hughes - Brendan Smith

Simon Nemec - Colin Miller

Vitek Vanecek

Akira Schmid

Erik Haula

The versatile veteran appeared in three preseason games and collected three points (two goals, one assist). He has previously missed practices for what Ruff called maintenance days, but after the team's practice on Oct. 8, Ruff stated that the 32-year-old is day-to-day with a nagging injury.

With Haula out of the lineup, the team's third line at practice consisted of Ondrej Palat, Curtis Lazar, and Alexander Holtz. It was the first time Holtz was not on a line with Timo Meier and Nico Hischier.

Nolan Foote

The 22-year-old is dealing with an upper-body injury. Nolan Foote appeared in two preseason games, Sept. 25 versus the Montreal Canadiens and Sept. 28 versus the New York Rangers. The winger would have to go through waivers to be assigned to the Utica Comets (AHL), but can't be assigned while injured.

According to PuckPedia," If Foote is still injured on Tuesday he'll carry a pro-rated cap hit because he is on a two-way deal and played less than 50 games last season." 

Keith Kinkaid

Keith Kinkaid was injured versus the Canadiens on Sept. 25 when he replaced Akira Schmid in goal in the third period. He played 12:38 before exiting the game after a collision with Montreal's Joshua Roy. On. Oct. 2, Mike Morreale of NHL.com asked Ruff about the goaltender's status.

"He's getting better. I don't know what the projected date is to get going, but getting better."

Today, Ruff told attending media members, "Kinkaid is still dealing with his injury." 

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