Hamilton has been sidelined since January 2nd but is set to return to the lineup on Thursday. Damon Severson played very well while Hamilton was out, posting 14 points (2G / 12A) in 16 games and he will remain on PP1 in Hamilton's return. Hamilton had 10 points (2G / 8A) in his last 15 games before getting hurt, with nine of those points coming at 5v5.
Bratt has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury but is expected to play Thursday in Pittsburgh. Bratt will return to the Devils' top-6 and will skate with Nico Hischier and Pavel Zacha. Prior to getting hurt, Bratt had six goals and 13 assists (19 points) in his last 16 games.
MacDermid played in three straight games but will come out of the lineup on Saturday afternoon. Ryan Murray will draw into the lineup to replace him.
Hamilton was cleared to practice on Saturday but it is just a matter of when Hamilton feels ready to play, according to head coach Lindy Ruff. Consider him a game-time decision on Sunday.
Bratt suffered an upper-body injury in St. Louis and will likely miss Sunday's game vs. the Penguins. Luckily for the Devils, Jack Hughes has cleared COVID-19 protocol and is expected to be available.
Hughes landed on the COVID-19 protocol list after going to the All-Star game in Vegas. He was back on the ice for Saturday's practice and is expected to play Sunday vs. the Penguins. Unfortunately, it looks like he'll be taking Jesper Bratt's spot in the lineup--Bratt is dealing with an upper-body injury.
Cholowski was picked by the Kraken in the expansion draft but they lost him to the Capitals on waivers in October. Re-claiming him means they are able to send him to the AHL. Cholowski has one assist in seven games this season.
Haula missed two games while in COVID-19 protocol but was on the ice for Monday's practice and is expected to play Tuesday. Haula, who has 16 points (5G / 11A) in 40 games this season, was back between Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak in Monday's session.
Hamilton has yet to be cleared for contact, so he will miss at least three more games. The next opportunity for Hamilton to return will be Sunday vs. the Penguins.
Hughes recently participated in the All-Star game festivities and tested positive for COVID-19 upon his return to New Jersey. Hughes will not travel on the Devils' three-game road trip, which starts Monday but is eligible to return to the lineup for Sunday's home game vs. the Penguins.
