On Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils announced that defenseman Jon Merrill and forward Luke Gazdic would both be sidelined for about four to five weeks due to injuries.
Jon Merrill (right index finger, blocked shot 10/1 vs. Rangers) out four weeks.
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) October 5, 2016
Luke Gazdic (broken left foot, blocking shot 9/26 vs. Philly) will be out four weeks.
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) October 5, 2016
New Jersey Devils Jon Merrill and Luke Gazdic Out 4 Weeks
The Devils reported that Gazdic suffered a broken left foot while blocking a shot when the Devils opened up the pre-season on September 26th against the Philadelphia Flyers. As for Merrill, he suffered a broken right index finger while also blocking a shot. His injury came in a pre-season game against the New York Rangers on October 1st. Gazdic’s recovery time has been set for approximately four weeks whereas Merrill has been listed as four to five weeks.
This is Merrill’s second injury in the past year. He also suffered a shoulder injury in March, one that required surgery this off-season. The 24-year-old was limited to only 47 games last season, tallying a single goal as well as four assists. However, this summer, Jon Merrill signed a two year, $2.275 million extension with the Devils.
“It’s part of the game,” Devils head coach John Hynes said. “He came back off the injury this summer, he trained really well. We thought he looked good. Injuries are a part of the game so it’s just something Jon has got to deal with the right way again.” (Via northjersey.com)
Gazdic, 27, who has spent the past several seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, was signed by the Devils this summer to a one year contract worth $700,000. Gazdic played in 29 games last season for the Oilers, scoring a single goal, his only point.
Main Photo:
Main Photo: NEWARK, NJ – FEBRUARY 19: Jon Merrill #7 of the New Jersey Devils in action against the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center on February 19, 2016 in Newark, New Jersey. The Islanders defeated the Devils 1-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
