Devils News Rewind: Toffoli, Hischier & More

Tyler Toffoli was the NHL's first star of the week, Nico Hischier's injury status, and more in this first edition of New Jersey Devils News Rewind

The New Jersey Devils ended the month of October on a high note with a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild and will enter November with a 5-2-1 record. They'll have two more days off before completing a home-and-home with the Wild on Thursday. Let's catch up on the latest news with Tyler Toffoli, Nico Hischier, and more in this first edition of Devils News Rewind: a free weekly post. 

Toffoli Named NHL's First Star of the Week

Toffoli has been everything the Devils could've asked for after they acquired him from the Calgary Flames this summer. He made a big-time impact this past week, finishing with six goals and one assist in four games. 

That led to the NHL naming him the first star of the week, with Jonas Johansson coming in second and Ryan Hartman in third. With the six-goal week, Toffoli is on pace for 71 goals and 102 points over 82 games. 

Obviously (I think), he won't hit those totals, but it looks like another big season is in store for the Canadian winger after he finished with 34 goals and 73 points for the Flames in 2022-23. 

Toffoli's shooting percentage will regress, but his hot start is not a fluke. He has a 58.31 expected goals percentage through eight games and has fit in perfectly alongside Jack Hughes. Something tells me it may not be the only time this season he earns an accolade as one of the NHL's three stars of the week. 

Dowling Returned to Utica

With Nico Hischier out with an injury after taking a vicious hit from Connor Clifton in the team's 6-4 win against the Buffalo Sabres, the Devils had called up Justin Dowling from the Utica Comets to fill his roster spot. 

But yesterday, the Devils sent Dowling back to the AHL, perhaps a sign that Hischier could make the trip out west this week when the Devils take on the Wild, St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks. 

However, the Comets play the Laval Rocket on Wednesday. So perhaps the Devils sent Dowling back to get into that game. On the other hand, they'll be traveling west on Wednesday, so one would have to think Dowling would remain with the team. 

Devils coach Lindy Ruff stated after Monday's practice that they were taking it day by day with Hischier, so we'll see what his status is and what returning Dowling to Utica means. Is Hischier getting closer to ready? Or was it just a paper transaction?

Devils Roster & Injury News

Some roster notes from Monday's practice. Kevin Bahl missed practice with an illness, while Erik Haula took a maintenance day. Haula has taken a beating this season and already missed a bit of time with a nagging injury. With three days off between games, it's not a surprise he took a maintenance day. 

A couple of days ago, the Devils also announced Colin Miller went on injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 19. He hasn't played in a game this season. But with Brendan Smith struggling, it'd help if the Devils had Miller available to them. 

Ruff stated that Miller is not close to returning, and neither is Tomáš Nosek, who's already been out of action since the Devils' second game of the season. The Devils have the depth to get by without either player, but returning sooner rather than later will help as the schedule strengthens during the holiday season. 

Nico Daws Returns to Practice

Early yesterday afternoon, the Comets posted a picture of goaltender Nico Daws in between the pipes and in practice gear. It was the first time he had been on the ice since having offseason hip surgery. 

Ben Birnell, who covers the Comets for Sentinel Media Company, reported that late December was always the target for a full recovery for Daws but that he seems to be a bit ahead of schedule. 

Birnell also stated that the Comets will ease Daws back into action and that they won't rush his return. 

Akira Schmid has leaped over Daws among Devils goaltending prospects, but don't discount Daws. He played 25 games with the Devils in 2021-22 and showed promise. He's performed well in the AHL with the Comets over the last two-plus seasons, too. 

It will take time for Daws to get back in the swing of things, but he has NHL potential and will help the Devils' goaltending depth once he returns in December and starts getting reps. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. The plan for these news roundups will be to post them every Monday, but it will depend on the Devils' schedule. If they have Sunday or Monday games, then Devils News Rewind will go live on another day. These posts will always be free, so make sure to subscribe to keep receiving them. 

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