Devils Nico Hischier to Travel with Team, Won’t Play Wednesday

New Jersey Devils captain, Nico Hischier, skated for a second consecutive day with the team on Tuesday.

It was an encouraging sign to see him on the ice again with the team, especially in a regular practice jersey as opposed to non-contact.

However, head coach Lindy Ruff explained that although Hischier will travel with the team to Detroit ahead of the Devils’ tilt with the Red Wings, he won’t play on Wednesday night.

On Monday, Hischier assumed his role on the second line during 5-on-5 rushes. However, Tuesday morning brought a different look. Hischier, instead, centered the fourth line between Max Willman and Nathan Bastian. Hischier also took part in penalty-killing drills, however, was excluded from the power play units.

Ruff also disclosed that at this time, there is still no timetable for Hischier’s return to game action.

Erik Haula and Ondrej Palat (maintenance days on Monday) returned to practice Tuesday. Timo Meier and Tomas Nosek remain absent from on-ice activities.

On the blueline, Brendan Smith skated as the seventh defenseman in a pair with Chris Tierney. Colin Miller remained on a pair with Luke Hughes, a further indication from Monday’s practice that Miller will remain in the lineup if Ruff returns to 12 forwards and seven defensemen.

Here was Tuesday’s workflow:

Forwards

Haula – Hughes – Lazar

Toffoli – Mercer – Bratt

Palat – Mercer – Holtz

Willman – McLeod – Bastin

Defensemen

Siegenthaler – Hamilton

Bahl – Marino

Hughes – Miller

Smith – (Tierney)

Goaltenders

Vanecek/Schmid

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