Things have gone from bad to worse for the New Jersey Devils. The team announced that forward Nico Hischier is listed day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Nico Hischier (upper body) is day-to-day and will not practice today.
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) October 16, 2019
Nico Hischier Injured
During the Devils 6-4 loss to the Florida Panthers on Monday afternoon, it was noticeable that something was not right with Hischier. After a couple of shifts in the first period, Hischier remained on the Devils bench. At times you could see Hischier stand up on the bench as the trainers worked on his legs. It became clear that he would not return to the game. Hischier took one shift in the second period and did not return to the game.
When Hischier was on the ice, his stride was not the same and he did not have that explosiveness in his skating. So one would have thought it had something to do with his lower body. However, the team has listed with an upper-body injury. During stretches on the ice, Hishcier was standing straight up on the ice instead of in his normal stance. The look on his face said it all as he was in some discomfort.
Going Forward
The last thing the Devils need is another injury. Already without captain Andy Greene because of a broken finger, the Devils can’t afford a lose a player like Hischier. While Greene is making positive progress as he is practicing with the team, there is still no timetable on his return.
The big question will be how will the Devils handle Hischier’s absence upfront. The Devils could put Pavel Zacha on the top line with Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri. Zacha looked good during stretches playing on the top line as he registered three points (a goal and two assists). So that is an option unless the team decides to go in another direction. Potentially another move is to put Jack Hughes to the top line to get him going. If Hischier is out a longer period, the Devils will have to bring up someone from the AHL for a roster. That could be Michael McLeod or Nathan Bastian.
Main Photo:
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 01: Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 01, 2019 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
