Devils Notebook
Devils Injured Star Defenseman Returns to Practice, Pessimistic Update on Pesce
The New Jersey Devils returned to the ice in North America for the first time since they swept the Buffalo Sabres in Prague. It was an unorthodox practice for the Devils, as head coach Sheldon Keefe split the defense and goaltenders from the forwards. First to the ice were the blue liners and net minders, and second were the forwards.
Joining the group of defensemen for the first time this season was injured star defenseman, Luke Hughes, in a non-contact jersey. Hughes is expected to return in early November due to a shoulder injury he sustained in the offseason. His return to the ice is nothing short of a positive sign, as he’s likely working on his conditioning leading up to his return.
What appeared to be another positive sign on Tuesday morning was Brett Pesce. The veteran Devils defenseman did not travel to Prague and missed the first two games of the regular season. However, Pesce was on the ice Tuesday morning in a regular practice jersey as a full participant.
The goal before Prague was to have Pesce ready for the season opener on Oct. 10th. However, according to the Devils’ head coach, that seems unlikely to happen.
“[Pesce and Hughes’] status is the same,” Keefe explained Tuesday morning. “They’re just going to be continuing to work. Obviously different injuries. They will be able to do different things out there, but neither player’s ready.”
Tuesday’s Devils Practice Group 1
Brett Pesce, Jonas Siegenthaler, Seamus Casey, Johnathan Kovacevic, Simon Nemec, Brenden Dillon, Luke Hughes (non-contact), Dougie Hamilton, Jacob Markstrom, Jake Allen
Adam Beckman also participated in practice, separate from the defensemen and goaltenders.
Practice Group 2
Jack Hughes, Timo Meier, Kurtis MacDermid, Nico Hischier, Nathan Bastian, Erik Haula, Paul Cotter, Stefan Noesen, Ondrej Palat, Dawson Mercer, Jesper Bratt, Curtis Lazar, Tomas Tatar
For now, it looks like the Devils will continue to roll with the lines and defensive pairs they deployed during the Global Series in Prague. When the Devils roster was revealed on Monday, Seamus Casey remained and New Jersey is rolling with 21 healthy players with a handful on the injured reserve.
For now, it appears Casey will stick around. Depending on the timelines for all the injured Devils defensemen, including Santeri Hatakka, Casey’s stay with the varsity club might be more permanent than previously anticipated.
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