Devils Notebook: One Skater Missing Following the Holiday Break

Newark — When the New Jersey Devils hit the ice for morning skate, one player was a surprise to see. Nico Daws was recalled by New Jersey despite the NHL roster freeze that’s currently intact until 12:01 midnight. One skater was missing, however. Forward Curtis Lazar, who blocked a shot in Saturday’s tilt against the Detroit Red Wings, was missing from morning skate.

Everyone else was present and accounted for ahead of the Devils’ tilt with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Wednesday Morning’s Devils Workflow

Forwards

Tyler Toffoli – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt

Ondrej Palat – Nico Hischier – Alexander Holtz

Timo Meier – Michael McLeod – Dawson Mercer

Brendan Smith – Erik Haula – Nathan Bastian

Defensemen

Jonas Siegenthaler – Simon Nemec

Luke Hughes – John Marino

Kevin Bahl – Colin Miller

Goaltenders

Vitek Vanecek

Akira Schmid/Nico Daws

On Dec. 23rd against the Red Wings, Lazar blocked a shot while killing a penalty. He remained in the game, however, there was little doubt that the shot at least stung Lazar who struggled to skate back to the bench after the block.

According to head coach Lindy Ruff, Lazar “wasn’t able to go this morning. He’s day-to-day. I don’t expect it to be too long.”

Lazar was playing in the top six on a line with Nico Hischier and Ondrej Palat. Now, Alexander Holtz slides up in the top six alongside Hischier and Palat. Brendan Smith is back at forward playing with Erik Haula and Nathan Bastian on the fourth line.

Vitek Vanecek worked in the starter’s crease, it appears he gets the nod against Columbus tonight. The last time the Devils and Blue Jackets met, Akira Schmid earned the win in the Devils’ 6-3 victory on the road. The 23-year-old made 23 saves on 26 shots in securing the victory.

On the Blue Jackets’ end of the ice, it appears Damon Severson will be in the lineup in his first game against his former club. Queue up the Severson tribute video for tonight.

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