Yahoo Sports Devils' Forward Has Resumed Skating
NEWARK, N.J. -- Ahead of the New Jersey Devils' noon practice on Tuesday, two injured players were skating and working on various areas of their game.
Forward Erik Haula joined fellow injured player, defenseman Santeri Hatakka, on the ice at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House. The 33-year-old center has been sidelined with a sprained ankle that he sustained on Jan. 4 against the San Jose Sharks.
On Jan. 17, the organization announced Haula was placed on injured reserve.
"He has resumed skating on his own," head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Haula's status. "No real update in terms of timeline."
Through 42 games, Haula has 11 points (five goals, and six assists), with his last goal scored on Nov. 25. Before his injury, he took 462 face-offs, which at the time was the second-most behind captain Nico Hischier. His face-off win percentage of 55.4% is the best on the team.
Justin Dowling has predominantly been the team's third-line center since Haula's injury. Lately, Keefe made some changes with Dawson Mercer, and, most recently, Paul Cotter getting a crack at that position.
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