The New Jersey Devils are once again without their captain Nico Hischier after he was hit in the face shield by a deflected slap shot off the stick of P.K. Subban. It was a fluke injury, but the Devils made it sound like the worst had been avoided since the puck hit Hischier’s shield and not his face. However, it’s days later, and Devils fans are getting a familiar response when reporters ask Lindy Ruff about his status.
No major update on #NJDevils Nico Hischier right now.
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) March 2, 2021
Per Lindy Ruff, he is currently being evaluated by doctors. An official update should be provided in the next few days.
Well, that’s not great. The Devils spewed the same song and dance the last time Hischier got injured. They would say “the hope” is he was able to start the season after he was dealing with what we later learned was a broken fibula. Then, when he was placed on the COVID protocol list, it pushed back his return even more.
Hard to get information from New Jersey Devils on injuries right now.
Now, there’s a feeling of deja vu because the Devils are saying the same things. Does Hischier have a concussion? Apparently, the doctors aren’t sure what’s wrong with him. Did he break his orbital bone? Who knows.
This isn’t Amanda Stein’s fault. Or any reporter working for or outside the organization. There is no question that is going to get this answer. They have to ask about his status, and unfortunately, the answer Ruff gives is the only one that’s coming.
Hischier is so necessary to stop the skid of the Devils, who have lost five of their last six games to fall under hockey .500. The Hischier-Jesper Bratt–Pavel Zacha line has been by far the best line on the Devils over the last few games. Now, the Devils will hope Nikita Gusev can build confidence playing with Bratt and Zacha.
This isn’t going to change anytime soon. The Devils are going to keep things close to the vest. It’s incredibly frustrating for a fanbase who is desperate for information.