Devils Adjusting Centers Without Hughes | FEATURE

The Devils didn't have any update Wednesday on the status of center Jack Hughes following his suffering an injury in the first period of
Tuesday's 4-2 victory
against Seattle at Prudential Center.
Without the services of Hughes, the team is being forced to juggle the lineup ahead of its Thursday showdown with Washington. For Wednesday's practice Mike McLeod was elevated into Hughes' spot on the second line with Yegor Sharangovich and Janne Kuokkanen.
"I've played with both of them at some point," McLeod said. "I know how they play. They're both offensive guys. I think if I play hard and win pucks for them, go to the net and try to make things happen down there for them, I think we'll work well.
"It's exciting (to have the opportunity). It'll be a big step for me. I'm looking forward to (Thursday)."

McLeod, the Devils' first-round pick (12th overall) in 2016, established himself as a full-time NHL player during the 2020-21 campaign. He appeared in 52 games while scoring nine goals and 15 points and served as a third-/fourth-line pivot. His game improved dramatically over the course of the year.
"He really skates well and opens the ice up for whoever he's playing (with)," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "He creates a lot of chances on his own with his speed. I think even more now he's been able to find guys around him.
"His play through the year improved. I think he's a better player right now than he was at the start of last year. In Michael's case, he's worked hard on a lot of areas of his game to get to where he's at."
Even McLeod agreed that he is better equipped this season to handle a bigger role in the lineup than he was at this same juncture last season.
"I think you get a little more confident in how you play with the more games you play and knowing where to be," McLeod said, "also playing against other teams' offensive lines and playing a shutdown role sometimes."

With McLeod bumping up the lineup, his current vacancy on the fourth line is expected to be filled by player-tryout-turned-contract-signee Frederik Gauthier. If he does play, Thursday's contest against Washington would be his first as a Devil.
"I came in first wanting to make the time. I did that. I made the team," Gauthier said. "I got a contract and now I get a chance to play."
The Devils will be facing a strong and physical Capitals team on Thursday, and someone of Gauthier's stature - 6-foot-5, 239 pounds - can be a way to balance out the physical play.
"If you look at the game, it'll be our toughest, most physical game of the year, I would anticipate with the way they play and speed-wise," Ruff said. "So, we feel that Gauthier right now would be a fit for us."
"You want to use your body as much as you can and finish your checks," Gauthier said.
And if the team needs to make any in-game adjustments, they have those capacities.
"We do have options," Ruff said. "Sharangovich is a natural centerman. He can slide back in. (Pavel) Zacha can slide back in. Even if it looks like it's not working it's an easy thing to make adjustments to.
"This morning we talked about Plan A, Plan B, Plan C. I think you always have if things are going well, if we need to generate more, if a line is struggling. Just moving pieces around."