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Hatakka Time? Devils Weighing Replacement Options for Injured Jonas Siegenthaler

Is Santeri Hatakka ready to fill in for the injured Jonas Siegenthaler? The Devils are considering their options.

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New Jersey Devils' Santeri Hatakka (82) watches the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

When New Jersey Devils defenseman, Jonas Siegenthaler, went down with an injury during Tuesday’s first period versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, they were forced to play over 40 minutes with five defensemen. The news on Siegenthaler was negative following the 3-2 shootout victory. It sounds like for at least the next two games before the 4 Nations break, they’re going to need a defenseman.



READ MORE: Key Devils Defenseman Injured vs. Penguins, Expert Predicts Injury & Recovery Timeline

Currently, there are six defensemen on the Devils’ roster, including Siegenthaler. Defenseman Santeri Hatakka is on the injured reserve.

Keefe explained after Tuesday’s victory that the Devils’ top defensive defenseman is going to miss some time.

With two games remaining against the Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens, the Devils are going to need someone to step in.

There is one logical fill-in for Siegenthaler in the short term. According to an internal source, the Devils are meeting on Wednesday to discuss their options. Hatakka is one of them.

Hatakka has been on the injured reserve since the pre-season when he sustained a shoulder injury. However, he’s fully recovered, explaining to New Jersey Hockey now that he’s, “ready to go.”

Hatakka did say he believed he is going down to the American Hockey League for some reps during the 4 Nations Face-Off break. However, the circumstances may have changed, and the Devils require a left-shot fill in for Siegenthaler. Hatakka is technically next on the depth chart when fully healthy.

He could still end up in Utica to continue playing during the two-week break. But there’s certainly a chance he sees NHL minutes before then.

The 24-year-old Finnish defenseman has also been participating in full-team practices in Newark. A swap of players on injured reserve, removing Hatakka and adding Siegenthaler seems logical for the two games. Although, it’s fair to wonder how up to speed Hatakka will be, missing the first 55 games of the season.

If the Devils don’t feel comfortable inserting Hatakka right away as a result, Colton White, Daniil Misyul and Topias Vilen—specifically in that order—are the next best left-handed options in Utica.

One thing is for sure. Seamus Casey won’t be available. The Devils highly-touted prospect defenseman played on his off-side through the first nine games of the season, and although he showed inconsistencies, he certainly commanded attention.

However, he’s not available due to injury, therefore is not an option.

Perhaps this is Simon Nemec‘s chance to work back into NHL minutes.

Nemec is red-hot in the AHL, and just wrapped up serving as the Comets’ representative at the AHL All-Star Classic.

The former second-overall pick firmly believes he’s full-time NHL material, and is gawking at the chance to prove himself at hockey’s top level once more.

It seems unlikely he’d be put in a position to work on his off-side. Perhaps someone like Brett Pesce, who has some experience playing on his off-hand, moves to the left so Nemec can fit.

The Devils are hoping this is just an issue for the short-term. They’ll have a full two weeks for those who aren’t participating in the world tournament to rest and recover. The hope is they’ll be 100% healthy by the time they play the Dallas Stars in their first game back on Feb. 22nd.

New Jersey is off from practice on Wednesday, therefore, we won’t get an update on Siegenthaler until Thursday. We should get a clearer picture of what the Devils’ defenseman is dealing with, then. For now, it could be Hatakka’s time if the Devils organization feel he’s good to go.

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Spoonerfive

I’d rather see Nemec than Hataaka. He needs it for mental reasons as much as more NHL minutes.

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