4 Devils Players Who Will Not Play First Preseason Game Against Islanders

kristy flannery

Sun, Sep 22, 2024, 9:15 a.m.·2 min read

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils' first preseason game of the 2024-25 campaign has arrived.

The team will host the New York Islanders at Prudential Center on Sunday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised on MSG Networks.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe did not confirm his lineup but did reveal a few players who will not be skating, including Jack Hughes, Timo Meier, Dawson Mercer, and Simon Nemec.

"With (Nemec) because of his injury situation and (Hughes) and (Meier), those guys coming off their offseason surgeries and such, we are going to give them more time," Keefe said. "They are doing perfectly fine; I like the idea of giving them tomorrow as an off day."

Nemec sustained an injury in the Olympic qualifiers at the end of August when he slammed into the end boards. At the time, it was announced he had an upper-body injury but that nothing was broken or dislocated. The 20-year-old has been a full participant since on-ice sessions began on Thursday.

<p>Jan 5, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (17) celebrates his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports</p> — Jan 5, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (17) celebrates his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Meier underwent shoulder surgery on April 23.

"It was definitely a busy summer with having surgery and then spending a lot of time on the rehab, but I was lucky that I was treated really well by the staff here and the people I was working with back home," Meier said. "They took great care of me. There was a lot of work that I had to do to be back here at 100 percent, but I am glad that is behind me, and everything's feeling great."

The Swiss winger was not the only Devils forward to have shoulder surgery.

In early April, the organization shut down Hughes to undergo his own surgery. On Thursday, the first overall pick shared that his rehab went well and that he feels good.

Due to his contract being finalized, Mercer joined his teammates on Saturday for his first on-ice practice session. The Bay Roberts native will not play against the Islanders but instead continue to focus on catching up and getting on the same page as his teammates.

Keefe is expected to meet with the media before the game. Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.