New Jersey Devils News

Jacob Markstrom (hand) was on the ice in full movement Wednesday and is expected back in a "handful of days".

Markstrom has missed the Flames previous five games due to a fluke hand injury which occurred in practice but was showing some positive signs of returning after practicing Wednesday with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). The 33-year-old veteran netminder is expected to return in a "handful of days" according to Salim Valji. He has struggled so far in 2023-24 prior to his injury, with his 6-8-2 record, 2.94 GAA and .896 SV%.

Jacob Markstrom
Brett Pesce (illness) will be questionable for Tuesday vs. Ottawa.

Pesce did not practice on Monday and will be a game-time decision Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Pesce has only two points (1G / 1A) in 19 games this season but has been a steadying presence on the blueline for the Hurricanes, averaging 20:15 time-on-ice and blocking 38 shots.

Brett Pesce
Jonathan Gruden has been recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Gruden was the 95th overall pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2018 NHL Entry draft. He has been in the Penguins organization since the 2020-21 season and has tallied 82 points (37G / 45A) in 182 career games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). His call-up coincides with Joona Koppanen and Alex Nylander being reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Jonathan Gruden
Nico Daws (undisclosed) has been activated off the injured, non-roster list and reassigned to Utica (AHL).

Daws has yet to play a game at any level in the 2023-24 campaign, but has finally been activated and will begin his season with the Utica Comets of the AHL. Last season with the Comets, Daws posted a 2.70 GAA and .904 SV% in 33 games (16-14-3). The 22-year-old netminder is no stranger to the NHL either, playing 25 games (10-11-1) with the Devils as a rookie, posting a 3.11 GAA and .893 SV%. Depending on how he fares with the Comets, Daws could be an option at the NHL level at some point this season, especially if the goaltending tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid continues to falter.

Nico Daws
Jacob Markstrom (fractured finger) is week-to-week after a fluke practice incident.

Markstrom will be out week-to-week with a fractured finger, an injury sustained after taking a puck to his hand at practice on Monday. Dustin Wolf has been recalled from the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL in the interim, which could be an opportunity for the promising youngster to get a deeper look at the NHL level as he battles it out for starts with Dan Vladar.

Jacob Markstrom
Jacob Markstrom (hand) left Monday's practice and is being evaluated after taking a puck to the right side.

The Flames had a scary moment at practice when Markstrom left the ice with a hand injury, leaving his availability for Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Wild uncertain. Makrstrom has allowed three or more goals in each of his last five games, posting a subpar .874 SV%, but has still salvaged a record of 2-21 during the stretch. If Markstrom is not able to play, expect Dan Vladar to occupy the crease.

Jacob Markstrom
Simon Nemec will make his NHL debut Friday vs. San Jose.

Nemec was the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and will make his NHL debut Friday vs. San Jose after Dougie Hamilton (pectoral strain) was placed on the Injured Reserve Friday. The 19-year-old defensemen had been thriving in his first season with Utica (AHL) prior to his call up, with two goals, six assists, six PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through 13 games played.

Simon Nemec
Dougie Hamilton (torn left pectoral muscle) is out indefeintly and on Injured Reserve retroactive to November 28th.

Hamilton left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return and has been placed on the injured reserve Thursday with a torn left pectoral muscle and is out indefinetly. Brendan Smith will replace Hamilton on the Devils' back end after his two game suspension is over. It is a tough loss for New Jersey who will now be without their top defensemen for a while who had five goals, 11 assists, 61 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 20 games this season.

Dougie Hamilton
Simon Nemac has been recalled from Utica (AHL).

In correspondence to Dougie Hamilton being placed on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury, the Devils have recalled Nemec from the Utica Comets of the AHL. The second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft has not played an NHL game yet but has eight points (2G / 6A) in 13 games with the Comets this season.

Simon Nemec
Dougie Hamilton (upper body) has been placed on the injured reserve.

Hamilton left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return and has been placed on the injured reserve Thursday. Brendan Smith will replace Hamilton on the Devils' back end as he worked his way back after a slight stint on forward. It is a tough loss for New Jersey who will now be without their top defensemen who had five goals, 11 assists, 61 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 20 games this season.

Dougie Hamilton
Hamilton (upper-body) will not play Thursday vs. the Flyers.

Hamilton left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return. Head coach Lindy Ruff still has no update on Hamilton's status. Samuel Leberge will make his NHL debut, replacing Hamilton in the lineup but it will be Brendan Smith who moves back to the blueline.

Dougie Hamilton
Jacob Markstrom will start Thursday vs. Dallas.

Markstrom was not available to play in the Flames' most recent game, a 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, due to an illness, but has been cleared to play and will return to the stater's crease on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Markstrom struggled against the Dallas Stars less than a week ago, allowing four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%), but was very strong in the third period, securing a 7-4 victory for the Flames. Recent success against the Stars aside, the Flames are +119 home underdogs as the Stars have been tremendous on the road this season, posting a stellar 8-1-1 record.

Jacob Markstrom