Devils release some more brutal injury news
Their top forward is out... now their top defenseman?
The New Jersey Devils have announced that star defenseman Dougie Hamilton is out for the rest of the regular season and possibly the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
From the Devils' official press release announcement:
The Devils will be without defenseman Dougie Hamilton for the remainder of the regular season.
General manager Tom Fitzgerald told the Krackin’ Canuckleheads podcast that Hamilton’s injury may “go into the second round” of the playoffs.
While the timeline has many factors and isn’t definitive, Fitzgerald said, “we’re not planning on (having him until the playoffs). This is what we have.”
Devils coach Sheldon Keefe echoed that sentiment in his media availability Thursday afternoon.
“We’re not counting on it. We’re pressing on as though we don’t have him,” Keefe said.
Hamilton suffered an injury on March 4 at Dallas during the first period. He’s missed the past three games for the club.
“The nature of his injury, he’ll do all that he can to be ready as soon as he can,” Keefe said. “We’ll welcome him back and hope to earn the opportunity to play long enough to get him back.
“It hasn’t been on my mind. We turned the page pretty quickly when the injury happened. We just have to press on.”
This news comes just after the team has already announced defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler and superstar forward Jack Hughes are both out of the lineup indefinitely, as well.
So... by my count that's their top forward and two of their top four defensemen out for the regular season and potentially the playoffs. That... that hurts.
With the Devils six eight points up on the New York Rangers in the NHL's Metropolitan Division they're not in any imminent danger of missing out on a playoff spot but things are looking a little sketchy. If this team completely falls off the rails over the next three weeks their spot in the standings could be up for grabs. Stay tuned.
