Devils Notebook: Injury Updates and Friday Morning’s Workflow

Newark — There was full attendance at the New Jersey Devils’ morning skate on Friday ahead of their tilt with the Chicago Blackhawks. Well, at least those who are healthy, anyway.

The Devils remain without their star forward Timo Meier and veteran Ondrej Palat. Both were at the rink, however, participated in off-ice activities. It’s unclear when either forward will return to the ice at this point.

“Both players weren’t on the ice today,” head coach Lindy Ruff explained. “Just (participated in) off-ice work. I really don’t have a timetable for them.”

As a result of missing both forwards, Graeme Clarke remains with the varsity squad. The 22-year-old forward has yet to make his NHL debut. It doesn’t look as though that’s happening on Friday either. Clarke, although on the ice, was not part of line rushes.

Ruff disclosed some information, although vague, on the status of No.1 defenseman Dougie Hamilton and forward Tomas Nosek. It sounds like we’ll have to get used to not seeing Hamilton for a while.

“Dougie is a long way away with what he had,” Ruff explained. The Devils defenseman suffered a torn pectoral and had successful surgery on it on Dec. 1st.

As for Nosek, Ruff said, “Nosek is closer, he’s not in a situation to start skating yet, but he’s getting closer.”  Nosek will miss his 31st game of the season tonight.

The good news is everyone else is feeling healthy. The Devils had been dealing with a bit of an illness bug. However, Ruff explained that’s subsided. As a result, it looks like the lines are staying as they were on Wednesday.

“Everybody is good, nothing that will change our lineup at all,” Ruff concluded.

Devils Friday Morning Workflow

Forwards

Tyler Toffoli – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt

Erik Haula – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer

Curtis Lazar – Michael McLeod – Alexander Holtz

Brendan Smith – Chris Tierney – Nathan Bastian

Defensemen

Jonas Siegenthaler – Simon Nemec

Luke Hughes – John Marino

Kevin Bahl – Colin Miller

Goaltenders

Vitek Vanecek

Nico Daws

The lone change for Friday will be in net. Vanecek worked in the starter’s crease and is projected to get the start tonight against Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks. That includes the power play remaining intact.

Devils Power Play Workflow

PP1: Luke Hughes, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Tyler Toffoli, Nico Hischier

PP2: Simon Nemec, Alexander Holtz, Erik Haula, Dawson Mercer, Nathan Bastian

Puck drop is at 7 PM EST.

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