Devils Notebook: Devils Star Returns to Practice

Leaving All-Star weekend early was a step in the right direction for Jack Hughes. He didn’t practice with the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, but head coach Lindy Ruff provided an encouraging update that their star center could be back soon. Then on Monday morning, Hughes stepped onto the ice for his first team practice in a month.

Although he was sporting a grey, no-contact jersey, New Jersey’s healing process is certainly headed in the right direction. However, Hughes was not part of regular line rushes.

“It’s a step in the right direction that he’s progressing,” head coach Lindy Ruff explained. “This is just another step in him getting to full contact.”

Although that sounds cautious, Ruff did not rule out Hughes getting back into the lineup this week. His status has been downgraded from week-to-week to day-to-day.

Devils defenseman Santeri Hatakka was also on the ice Monday morning. He was recalled by the Devils on Sunday and hopped back into regular line rushes bumping out newcomer Nick DeSimone.

Devils Monday Workflow

Forwards

Ondrej Palat – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt

Tyler Toffoli – Erik Haula – Dawson Mercer

Timo Meier – Curtis Lazar – Nathan Bastian

Jack Hughes/Chris Tierney – Tomas Nosek – Alexander Holtz

Defensemen

Kevin Bahl – Simon Nemec

Luke Hughes – John Marino

Santeri Hatakka – Colin Miller

Max Willman – Nick DeSimone

Goaltenders

Vitek Vanecek/Nico Daws

Devils Power Play Units

PP1: Luke Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, Tyler Toffoli, and Ondrej Palat

PP2: Simon Nemec, Erik Haula, Timo Meier, Dawson Mercer, and Alexander Holtz

The Devils host the Colorado Avalanche tomorrow night at the Prudential Center. It sounds like Zach Parise will play for the Avs tonight on Broadway against the New York Rangers. That means the former Devils captain will likely be in the Avs lineup in Newark on Tuesday.

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