Here's a recap of the latest Devils' news and notes.
NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils are a little over a week into the 2023-24 season. The club earned a 1-1-1 record, suffering back-to-back losses to the Arizona Coyotes and Florida Panthers.
While the team continues to find the right combinations on the ice, there has been plenty of news off it. Below is a recap of some of the biggest headlines from the past few days.
New Jersey Devils Headlines
- NHL Public Relations announced the top-selling jerseys since June, and Jack Hughes was ranked second in sales behind Connor Bedard.
- Speaking of Hughes, he is beginning the season on a three-game point streak. So far, he has earned two goals and four assists. His six points tied the franchise record for the most that a Devils player earned in the team's first three games from the start of a season. He joins Kyle Palmieri, John MacLean, Brian Gionta, Mel Bridgeman, Greg Adams, and Jesper Bratt.
- ESPN recently released their NHL Rank: Top-100 player predictions for the 2023-24 season. Multiple players made their list, including Jesper Bratt (81), Tyler Toffoli (65), Timo Meier (58), Dougie Hamilton (49), Nico Hischier (31), and Jack Hughes (4).
Injury Report
The Devils began the season with four injured players: Nolan Foote (upper body), Nico Daws (offseason hip labrum surgery), Brian Halonen (lower body), and Keith Kinkaid (upper body).
Since then, versatile veteran Tomas Nosek missed one game with a lower-body injury and remains "day-to-day," and after the team's practice on Tuesday, he was seen wearing a walking boot. His former Vegas Golden Knights teammate, Erik Haula, was missing from the team's Thursday practice and is dealing with an upper-body injury. According to head coach Lindy Ruff, both players will likely be out of Friday's lineup when the team faces the New York Islanders.
"Where they're at, I don't think they're game-time (decisions)," Ruff said. He added that he didn't believe either forward would make the trip to Long Island.
During Thursday's practice, Colin Miller crashed into the boards, and while he skated to the bench on his own, he appeared to be in great pain. After spending a few minutes on the bench with the trainer, they went to the locker room.
"No news on (Miller) yet," Ruff said. Just waiting to hear."
Miller, who was acquired over the summer, has yet to make his Devils regular season debut and has been serving as the extra defenseman.
Those now expecting a Simon Nemec call-up may need to wait longer.
According to Ben Birnell of the Daily Sentinel, the second-overall pick took "an awkward and arguably late hit from Syracuse Crunch forward Cole Koepke" and is dealing with an upper-body injury.
"As of right now, he's probably doubtful (for Saturday's game)," Comets head coach Kevin Dineen said to Birnell.
Related: Devils' Nolan Foote to Miss Extended Time With Injury
Utica defenseman Santeri Hatakka is also doubtful for Saturday's game versus the Bridgeport Islanders and is dealing with a lower-body injury. Birnell reports that Hatakka is "considered one of the first call-up options."
Kinkaid Cleared Waivers, Assigned to Chicago Wolves
Kinkaid officially cleared waivers on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
On Sept. 13, the netminder signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Devils, with the caveat being he signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Wolves, an independent American Hockey League team, on July 18.
Kinkaid's agent, Allain Roy, previously provided THN's Stefen Rosner with insight into why his client agreed to terms with the Devils after signing with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL on July 18, 2023.
"The Devils wanted more depth at the goaltending position and are very familiar and comfortable with Keith," he said. "He has good experience in the NHL and can step in when needed."
With Daws recovering from surgery, Erik Kallgren and Isaac Poulter are handling the net in Utica.
In Case You Missed It
- Former Devils Coach Suspended Indefinitely After WHL Investigation
- Devils Sign Lindy Ruff to Multi-Year Contract Extension
- Devils' Nosek Day-To-Day With Lower-Body Injury
- Devils' Hischier Talks Confidence and Why the Team Can't Get Too Low After Three Games
- Devils' Players Open Up About What It's Like to Integrate into a New Locker Room
- Lundqvist on Devils Repeating Last Season's Success: 'Absolutely They Can'
- New Jersey Devils 2023-24 Projection: Three Keys to the Season and Worst Case Scenario
- Devils' Holtz Put in Position to Succeed Starting on Haula's Line
Around the Metropolitan Division
- The New York Islanders earned a 2-0-0 record to start their season. They earned a victory over the Buffalo Sabres and Coyotes. Ex-Devil winger Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson lead the team with two points each.
- Former Devils defenseman Damon Severson was benched in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 16. Detroit's J.T. Compher intercepted Severson's pass attempt and found Michael Rasmussen, who scored the Red Wings's second goal of the game.
"It's definitely frustrating," Severson said. "It was a really bad game and a tough game for the team, but it especially hurts a little worse, for sure, when I had a play there that definitely shouldn't have been made on my part." (from 'Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson to use benching as turning point', The Columbus Dispatch, 10/18/23).