Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

New Jersey Devils News

Kovacevic underwent successful knee surgery and is not expected to be ready for the 2025-26 training camp.

Kovacvic's first season in New Jersey will end in an unfortunate but memorable fashion after he underwent successful knee surgery on Wednesday. He is not expected to be fully recovered by the time the 2025-26 training camp rolls around. The 27-year-old stay-at-home defenseman had a goal, 17 points and a +10 plus/minus through 81 games played in 2024-25.

Johnathan Kovacevic
Bratt underwent successful shoulder surgery and is expected back for the start of training camp in 2025-26.

Bratt showed no signs of an ailment in the playoffs, playing all five games in New Jersey's round one loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but underwent shoulder surgery. He is expected to be back for the beginning of training camp. The 26-year-old Bratt had an excellent season, scoring a career-high 88 points (21G / 67A) in 81 games. He has become a picture of consistency for the Devils, scoring 317 points (106G / 211A) in 321 games over the previous four seasons.

Jesper Bratt
Hughes underwent successful shoulder surgery and is expected back for the start of training camp in 2025-26.

Hughes suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 1 of the playoffs and did not play the remaininder of the series. He underwent successful shoulder surgery and will likely be ready for the beginning of training camp. The 21-year-old Hughes had an impressive 2024-25 campaign with 44 points (7G / 37A) in 71 games.

Luke Hughes
Pesce (undisclosed) took full part in warmups and is expected to play in Game 5 in Carolina.

Pesce has been a rock on defense for New Jersey this postseason, averaging 25:20 time-on-ice, recording one assist and a +3 plus/minus. He and fellow game-time decison Jonas Siegenthaler will both be on the Devils' blue line for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Brett Pesce
Siegenthaler (undisclosed) took full part in warmups and is expected to play in Game 5 in Carolina.

Siegenthaler was battling a lower-body injury that kept him from playing the first two games of the playoffs and was at risk of missing Game 5. It's unclear if his current ailment is related to his previous one. The 27-year-old Siegenthaler played 19:56 time-on-ice in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, recording a -2 plus/mins.

Jonas Siegenthaler
Pesce (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Game 5 in Carolina on Tuesday.

Pesce has been a rock on defense for New Jersey this postseason, averaging 25:20 time-on-ice, recording one assist and a +3 plus/minus. He joins Jonas Siegenthaler as critical game-time decisions on the Devils' blue line ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday.

Brett Pesce
Siegenthaler (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Game 5 in Carolina on Tuesday.

Siegenthaler was battling a lower-body injury that kept him from playing the first two games of the playoffs and could be at risk of missing Game 5. It's unclear if his current ailment is related to his previous one. The 27-year-old Siegenthaler played 19:56 time-on-ice in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, recording a -2 plus/mins.

Jonas Siegenthaler
Siegenthaler (lower-body) is on the ice for warmups and is expected to play in Game 3 against the Hurricanes.

Siegenthaler has not played since February 4th due to a lower-body injury but appears ready to make his seasonal playoff debut and return on Friday for Game 3 vs. Carolina. The 27-year-old Swiss defender will make a welcome addition to New Jersey's already battered blue line after he had two goals, nine points and a +9 plus/minus in 55 games during the regular season.

Jonas Siegenthaler
Siegenthaler (lower-body) is hopeful to return to New Jersey's lineup for Game 3 on Friday.

Siegenthaler has not played since February 4th due to a lower-body injury but is hopeful to make his seasonal playoff debut and return on Friday for Game 3 vs. Carolina. The 27-year-old Swiss defender will make a welcome addition to New Jersey's already battered blue line after he had two goals, nine points and a +9 plus/minus in 55 games during the regular season.

Jonas Siegenthaler
Hughes (undisclosed) is out for Game 2 in Carolina on Tuesday.

Hughes suffered an undisclosed injury late in Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes and will not play in Game 2. The 21-year-old Hughes scored 44 points (7G / 37A) in 71 games this season. He had a -1 plus/minus and played 22:20 time-on-ice in Sunday's 4-1 loss in Game 1. Simon Nemec will draw into the lineup as Hughe's replacement.

Luke Hughes
Rittich will start against the Flames on Thursday.

The Kings will give Darcy Kuemper the night off on Thursday, handing Rittich the start for their regular season finale. Rittich picked up the victory on Tuesday, allowing five goals on 34 shots in a 6-5 win in Seattle. The 32-year-old netminder owns a 16-13-2 record and an .888 SV% on the season. The Kings enter action on Thursday at -175 on the money line.

David Rittich