Here's a recap of the latest Devils' news and notes.
NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils have one final game left before the players disperse for their separate vacations for the NHL All-Star Break. The Devils are in the thick of the playoff hunt, and a week away from the rink will do the team wonders as they recover from injuries and prepare for their playoff push.
It's the perfect time to recap some of the biggest headlines from the past few days.
New Jersey Devils Headlines
- The NHL finally unveiled the Devils 2024 Stadium Series jerseys. Per NHL: New Jersey will wear a dark red sweater, with black stripes and an uncircled black Devils logo in the crest. The jersey will be available at NHLShop.com, Fanatics' network of online stores, NHL Shop NYC at Manhattan West, and team stores beginning Feb. 5.
- Former Devils defenseman Will Butcher was traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Minnesota Wild on Thursday evening. The 29-year-old will report to their American Hockey League team, the Iowa Wild, per the press release.
- Another former Devils defenseman made headlines as Shakir Mukhamadullin received his first NHL call-up on Thursday. New Jersey traded the blueliner to the San Jose Sharks as part of the Timo Meier deal. While doing his media availability, another former Devils defenseman, Nikita Okhotiuk, came out to assist Mukhamadullin with translation if needed. The 22-year-old is expected to make his NHL debut Saturday night.
- The Colorado Avalanche confirmed they have signed Zach Parise to a one-year contract through the end of the 2023-24 season. Per Michael Russo of The Athletic, the deal is worth $825,000.
Dougie Hamilton Placed on LTIR
The Devils have placed defenseman Dougie Hamilton on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). Placing the 6-foot-6 defenseman on LTIR gives the Devils an extra $9 million in cap space and the ability to acquire another player via trade if they choose to do so.
During General Manager Tom Fitzgerald and Devils Managing Partner David Blitzer's press conference on Jan. 23, Fitzgerald spoke about his continued desire to improve his roster.
"I'm always looking to improve the team," he said. "There are areas I'd like to improve, whether it's depth defensemen, whether it's looking in the goaltending market."
"I can't force teams to trade people to me. My phone is constantly working and calling teams," Fitzgerald continued. "That's what we do this time of year to gauge each other's thoughts and interests, what they're thinking, what we're thinking, and if there's a match in there somewhere. That's part of the process of being a general manager. It's always staying connected to the other teams and what they're trying to do and where we are at that point."
New Defensemen, New Numbers
On Thursday, New Jersey claimed one defenseman off of waivers and called up another from their AHL team, the Utica Comets. Defensemen Nick DeSimone and Daniil Misyul have been added to New Jersey's roster.
- DeSimone, who will wear number 57, was claimed off of waivers on Jan. 25. THN's own Randy Sportak, who covers the Calgary Flames, provided the following quote about the blueliner, "I hadn't realized how many games he played in this season, which is probably a good thing since it's easier to notice the mistakes of a player like him."
That quote stuck out because, as I previously wrote about Colin Miller, when doing his job, he's a defenseman who might not be noticed on the ice, which is precisely what one wants from an effective depth defenseman.
- Misyul will wear number 59, which Janne Kuokkanen last wore during the 2021-22 season. Misyul was selected 70th overall by New Jersey in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. This is his first NHL call-up.
In Case You Missed It
- New Jersey Devils NHL Stadium Series Jersey Revealed
- Devils' Michael McLeod & Cal Foote Granted Indefinite Leave of Absence
- Tom Fitzgerald Faces Many Challenges In His Extended Role As Skipper
- Devils' Kevin Bahl on Back-To-Backs: 'It's Screwing Us Right Now'
- EMPTYING THE NOTEBOOK: 41 Thoughts After the Devils' First 41 Games
- Devils Face Difficult Task of Improving Goaltending Amidst Hot Market