Devils Notebook: An Update on Hischier, Absentee’s Return to Practice

Things remain status quo for the New Jersey Devils captain. The Devils have seemingly created a new term in reference to a player’s health. Nico Hischier isn’t “day-to-day,” but rather is being evaluated “day-by-day” after taking an illegal check to the head by Buffalo Sabres defenseman, Connor Clifton. On Wednesday, general manager Tom Fitzgerald provided an update on Hischier’s status.

According to the Devils’ GM, he doesn’t anticipate that the captain will make the four-game, eight-day road trip with the Devils. However, the conversations regarding Hischier’s ability to travel are still being had. Nothing’s official, yet.

Although New Jersey hasn’t disclosed the nature of Hischier’s injury, we can deduce he’s dealing with a concussion. Or, he’s at least dealing with concussion-like symptoms. At this time, New Jersey has labeled the injury as an upper-body injury.

New Jersey returned forward Justin Dowling to the Utica Comets on Monday. If Hischier in fact doesn’t make the trip, the Devils will travel with 21 players if no one else is recalled, which seems unlikely.

Absentee’s Return

Kevin Bahl was absent from the Devils skate on Monday. The team disclosed that the 6-foot-6 defenseman was dealing with an illness. New Jersey was off of practice yesterday which was seemingly all Bahl needed. The New Westminster native was back on the ice Wednesday for morning skate.

Erik Haula was also absent from practice Monday following the Devils’ 5-4 win over the Minnesota Wild on Monday. Haula, who has been dinged up a bunch through eight games thus far, received a maintenance day on Monday. Fortunately, Haula has only missed one game so far this season. He’s been one of New Jersey’s best players with five goals and six points through seven games thus far.

Wednesday’s Morning Skate Workflow:

Tyler Toffoli – Jack Hughes – Timo Meier

Ondrej Palat – Michael McLeod – Jesper Bratt

Dawson Mercer – Erik Haula – Curtis Lazar

Alexander Holtz – Chris Tierney – Nathan Bastian

Jonas Siegenthaler – Dougie Hamilton

Kevin Bahl – John Marino

Brendan Smith – Luke Hughes

Cal Foote was also on the ice rotating in among the defensive pairs.

Power Play

PP1: L. Hughes, J. Hughes, Meier, Bratt, Toffoli

PP2: Hamilton, Mercer, Palat, Haula, Holtz

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