Devils Notebook: Absent Veteran Returns; Tatar, Hischier, Mercer Reunite; Notes & Quotes

It was good news for the New Jersey Devils from the very first player who stepped on the ice. Veteran forward, Erik Haula, has been dealing with an illness that knocked him out for the first week of training camp and handful of preseason games. However, on Wednesday morning, Haula was the first player to step on the ice ahead of morning skate.

Haula is projected to play third line center between Ondrej Palat and Stefan Noesen in 2024-25 — which is a veteran-heavy line. However, with Wednesday being his first practice, it is not expected he’ll play tonight against the Washington Capitals, which aligns with what head coach Sheldon Keefe explained. Due to the illness Haula dealt with, he’ll need to be steadily build himself back up, according to the Devils’ head coach.

Keefe did indicate, however, that Haula is focused on getting him into a full game against the New York Islanders on Friday.

Jacob Markstrom worked the starters crease during morning skate which is an indication that he will tend the net against Washington. After Sunday’s game, Keefe revealed there is a plan for Markstrom to play a full 60 minutes. With just one more game on the menu before the Devils head to Prague, tonight feels like as good of a night as any to do so.

READ: Devils Players, Coach React to Jacob Markstrom’s First Game; Analysis

Here is what Wednesday’s workflow looked like:

Devils Wednesday Lines*

Forwards

Timo Meier — Jack Hughes — Jesper Bratt

Tomas Tatar — Nico Hischier — Dawson Mercer

Ondrej Palat — Erik Haula — Stefan Noesen

Kurtis MacDermid — Filip Engaras — Chase Stillman

Defensemen

Brenden Dillon — Dougie Hamilton

Colton White — Nick DeSimone

Daniil Misyul — Andy Welinski

Goaltenders

Jacob Markstrom

Jake Allen

*Lines subject to change in warmups.

It will be the first look this fall at the reunited Tomas Tatar, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer line. Keefe explained he’s betting on the history of success the trio has had to return.

“Yeah, there’s history there for me as a guy coming in, I’m trying to find some continuity when I can,” Keefe explained. “I think it’s [Tomas Tatar] coming back here, it’s important to look to get him off to a good start. So to give him some familiarity, I think is important, and we’re trying to get — in a short camp, a short preseason –you need to get off to a good start here.

“Obviously we know we’re going to be playing for real next week in Prague, and then once we come back from Prague, it’s a busy schedule. We got 11 games in 22 nights when we started our home opener there. We’ve got to get things going. So, if there’s something that we know historically has worked, I’m going to lean into that to start with. Then, fill some things in from there.”

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