It was announced earlier today that New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier will not travel on the team’s four-game road trip. He sustained the injury during their 5-4 win against the Buffalo Sabres last Friday. At today’s practice, Head Coach Lindy Ruff announced that Hischier won’t make the trip with the team. Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald also voiced his pessimism about Hischier’s availability at today’s Stadium Series Press Conference.
Tom Fitzgerald says that he “does not anticipate” that Nico Hischier will be traveling on this four game road trip.
Says he has to talk to medical team, and Nico will continue he to be evaluated day-by-day #NJDevils
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) November 1, 2023
#NJDevils head coach Lindy Ruff: players who didn’t practice today will not be on the road trip.
— Catherine Bogart (@CatherineBogart) November 1, 2023
Nico Hischier to Miss Road Trip
The injury occurred when Sabres defenceman Connor Clifton hit Hischier in the head. The play resulted in a five-minute major and game misconduct for Clifton and a two-game suspension. Hischier left the game following the hit, before returning for the third period and finishing the game. However, he was absent from their game two nights later against the Minnesota Wild, as well as all subsequent practices. The Devils are getting prepared for an eight-day, four-game road trip against the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, and Colorado Avalanche.
Connor Clifton has been suspended for two games for this hit on Nico Hischier pic.twitter.com/lFEzrbJR3Y
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 28, 2023
What Does This Mean for the Devils
After a relatively clean bill of health last season, the Devils have been hit with injuries early this year. Hischier’s absence leaves a massive hole in all aspects of the game. He is one of the best defensive forwards in the game and is relied upon heavily on the PK and PP. The Devils now suddenly have a big gap down the centre of the ice. Jack Hughes leads the top unit, but currently, fourth-line centre Michael McLeod is the one tasked with centring the second line. As it stands, Erika Haula will centre the third line and PTO signee Chris Tierney will centre the fourth line. A big stretch of games against teams that the Devils have historically struggled against awaits them.
Main Photo: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
