Hischier continues to be evaluated.
NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Nico Hischier would not accompany his team on their upcoming four-game road trip.
"The players who did not practice today will not be on the road trip," he said.
The 24-year-old captain has been out of the lineup since Oct. 27, when he took a hit from Buffalo Sabres' defenseman Connor Clifton. NHL Player Safety handed Clifton a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head.
"I've always tried to play hard and the right way," Clifton said. "I think I've proven that. Almost 300 games with zero incidents and zero fines. Yeah, I miss-timed a hit, as simple as that. Obviously, there was head contact, which I didn't intend to do. It's a fast game. I watched it 100 times. Obviously, I wish I took a different approach. I kind of thought he was going to catch it and carry it in." (from 'Sabres' Connor Clifton Suspended Two-Games for Hit on Devils' Nico Hischier,' The Buffalo News, 10/29/23).
In seven games this season, Hischier has two goals. He is coming off a career season where he put up 80 points (31 goals, 49 assists) in 81 games. He finished second in the Selke Trophy voting behind former Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron.
After the team's Nov. 1 practice, Ruff was asked if there was more known about Hischier's injury besides being evaluated day by day. The head coach responded with, "Not right now."