Devils Daily: Pesce Injury Timeline; Mercer Replacements; Ruff Start in Buffalo

Well, there was certainly a lot to cover yesterday. The New Jersey Devils got underway with their on-ice activities and head coach Sheldon Keefe ran a tight ship. Bag skates before drills certainly sent a message, and the ensuing Devils practice was intense. We were provided with a few injury updates and heard from general manager Tom Fitzgerald regarding other storylines.

All the coverage is in the Devils news section below.

Elsewhere, the Lindy era in Buffalo is off to a Ruff start. The Sixers are leaving the Wells Fargo Center, and Anaheim names a captain.

Let’s do that hockey.

Devils News

It was a busy, busy day yesterday in Newark. Let’s start with the good news.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils sophomore defenseman, Simon Nemec, was on the ice for the first day of on-ice training camp activities. He was a full participant during drills and didn’t appear to miss a beat.

Now, the bad news…

More NJHN: Newly inked defenseman Brett Pesce was absent from on-ice activities Thursday. Fitzgerald provided an update on what kept him from practice as well as a little extra context on Nemec.

On Dawson Mercer: Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt react to the Devils forward who is absent from training camp amid ongoing contract discussions.

And if for whatever reason the Devils and Mercer don’t figure things out by the time we get to game action, here are three replacements that could slide into his spot in the lineup.

Plus, the first Devils Notebook of the season. Yesterday’s groups, line combinations, who was absent & why, notes, & quotes.

New Jersey Hockey Now +

Subscribe to NJHN+ and use code James10 for 10% off (yearly subscriptions) at checkout.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Detroit Hockey Now: The big news of the day on Thursday was Moritz Seider. The German defenseman signed a seven-year contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings, ending the standoff.

Sportsnet: It’s been rumored for a few weeks now and on Thursday, the Anaheim Ducks finally confirmed. Radko Gudas has been named Captain Duck.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pittsburgh Penguins have brought the largest cache of forwards with NHL experience and potential to training camp in recent memory, if not ever. Head coach Mike Sullivan has a specific cut criteria he’s following while choosing his roster.

Boston Hockey Now: Well, with Jeremy Swayman still missing in action and Linus Ullmark moved to Ottawa, the Boston Bruins have turned to Joonas Korpisalo in the starters net.

Florida Hockey Now: Lifting the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers was his final chapter. Kyle Okposo calls it a career, announcing his retirement on Thursday.

NYI Hockey Now: Scott Mayfield missed half of the 2023-24 season, which left a hole in the New York Islanders’ lineup amid a playoff push. On the first day of training camp, he made his anticipated return.

Vegas Hockey Now: Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon confirmed the report that goaltender Robin Lehner will not report. The Golden Knight GM cites “unique circumstances” as to why Lehner will be away from the team in the final year of his contract.

Philly Hockey Now: In the near future, the Philadelphia Flyers will no longer be sharing the Wells Fargo Center – and whatever it’s renamed to at the end of the season – with the Philadelphia 76ers. Next stop, New Jersey?

Washington Hockey Now: Jakub Vrana returns to the Washington Capitals, this time on a professional tryout contract. His Caps teammates are happy to have him back.

Montreal Hockey Now: Montreal Canadiens top prospect Ivan Demidov had a breakout game in the KHL, registering a four-point night.

Chicago Hockey Now: The Chicago Blackhawks might still finish this season near the bottom of the NHL. However, they have a totally revamped lineup filled with NHL veterans. So, who are the candidates to skate with Connor Bedard?

Buffalo Hockey Now: Five players?! Five players were injured in a wild Buffalo Sabres practice on Thursday. The Lindy era is off to a Ruff start.

For more Devils news, visit New Jersey Hockey Now and like our Facebook page.

Follow us on 𝕏:

@NJDHockeyNow, @JamesNicholsNHL, @NickNatale10

And on Threads:

@JamesNicholsNHL