Devils Reassign Two Players to AHL Utica

The New Jersey Devils announced a pair of roster moves this morning. Forward Justin Dowling and defenseman Nick DeSimone have been assigned to the Utica Comets, the Devils AHL affiliate.

The Devils wrapped up a three-game Florida road trip last night, capped off by a 4-0 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning. They will have four days of rest before their next contest against Metropolitan Division foes, the Carolina Hurricanes.

READ: Devils Current Fourth Line Is Not Sustainable; What Can They Do?

Dowling, who was called up after a long-term injury to Curtis Lazar, has one assist through nine games as the Devils fourth line center. The 34-year-old has averaged a career-low 8:13 of ice time per game on a fourth line that has struggled in recent weeks.

He now returns to a struggling Utica Comets team that has yet to win a game this season. Through Dowling’s first six games of the season with Utica, he recorded two goals and two assists.

Meanwhile, the Devils have also sent down depth defenseman Nick DeSimone.

DeSimone lost out on an NHL roster spot during a competitive training camp but has served as the seventh defenseman after Simon Nemec was sent down.

RELATED: Devils Fill Simon Nemec Roster Spot, Long-Term Replacement?

He has yet to make an appearance for the Devils this season but recorded two points in 11 games in 2023-24. This season in Utica, DeSimone has two assists in nine games.

It remains to be seen if this is a signal of a potential trade or to help bolster Utica’s roster as they still hunt for their first win of the season. With the four-day break coming for the Devils, the AHL assignment is likely a way to keep both players active and provide support to their struggling AHL squad.

READ MORE: 4 Trade Target Centers to Improve Depth

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