Nolan Foote
The Devils have been waiting all season to get Nolan Foote in the lineup. He was penciled into the lineup to play alongside Nathan Bastian and Michael McLeod. Something happened in preseason that sent him to injured reserve, and he wasn't seen until now. That was almost six months ago.
Foote took a conditioning stint in Utica very seriously, scoring three goals in four games with the Devils AHL affiliate. He's clearly ready to take the next step in his career. The 23-year-old former first-round pick took a different path to the NHL, but if he can be something on the next level, it will have been worth the wait. The Devils could have sorely used Foote this season, being forced to play Chris Tierney in the lineup for 35 games despite scoring just six points. Foote would likely do better if healthy.
Foote is another player who could solidify a spot in next season's lineup this year. The Devils need help in the bottom six, and Foote should be able to fill in those gaps.
This has been a tumultuous year for Nolan Foote. Obviously, the injury is very disheartening. Foote has an NHL lineage and was a first-round pick. He thought he was going to make the NHL way before this, and he was finally on the cusp of being a regular. Then, he gets hurt. On top of that, he sees his brother Cal Foote get arrested due to the 2018 Hockey Canada scandal. It will be good for him to just get on the ice and play hockey.