Hischier, Haula Return | NOTEBOOK

The Devils practice Monday afternoon at the RWJ Barnabas Hockey House inside Prudential Center before flying to Montreal. New Jersey faces the Canadiens Tuesday night.

Stay tuned to the blog for notes, injury updates, lineup updates, interviews, videos and more!

PRACTICE DETAILS

Forwards Nico Hischier and Erik Haula both returned to the ice for Monday's practice. Hischier missed the third period against the NY Islanders on Friday and practice on Saturday. Haula missed Friday's game. 

The team placed forward Tomas Nosek (lower body) on Injured Reserve and recalled defenseman Cal Foote from Utica of the American Hockey League. More info here on the transactions. 

The Devils used the following workflow below...

INJURY NOTES

With forwards Nico Hischier and Erik Haula participating in a full practice on Monday, they are could both be “available to play” Tuesday night in Montreal “if everything goes well” according to head coach Lindy Ruff.

“I thought both players got through practice pretty good but we’ll follow up on that,” Ruff said.

“Back out there. It feels good,” Haula said. “I hate not being out there with the guys. I’m sure everyone does. It’s a good feeling to be back there. A good practice. Feel good.”

Haula has been dealing with some lingering “bumps and bruises.” But he wanted to make sure he could get through a full first practice before returning to game action.

“I’m a true believe at this point, and I’m sure everyone would agree, that you need a full practice before you play when you have something going on,” the veteran forward said. “That was the goal, to practice Monday, feel good and hop in the game on Tuesday.”

The medical staff will be in communication with both Hischier and Haula leading into Tuesday’s game.

“The player knows best if they’re ready to play,” Ruff said. “When a player comes in and talks to myself or the training staff or medical staff and says ‘I’m ready to go.’ He’ll walk in after today’s practice and if there are any issues, I’ll be aware of it by the time we leave on the plane. If he thinks he needs another day to see how he feels then that decision will be made tomorrow.

“Based on practice I liked a lot of what I saw.”

Defenseman Colin Miller "is going to be a little bit of time," per Ruff.

BEST FOOT(E) FORWARD

The Devils recalled defenseman Cal Foote from Utica of the American Hockey League. With Miller out for an undetermined amount of time, the club needed a seventh defenseman in case of emergencies.

“We need another body in case somebody gets sick or hurt,” Ruff said. “They’ve got some injuries down there (in Utica), (Foote has) been their best defenseman. We brought him back up.”

Foote, 24, is a right-shot defenseman that has 141 games of NHL experience in his career.

“Your whole life you want to be in the NHL,” Foote said. “It’s nice to be back here. I’m exciting and looking forward to the opportunity.”

Foote, the older brother of Devils forward Nolan Foote, worked today in the seventh defenseman’s role at practice. But anytime you’re on the team, you could be called upon to enter the lineup.

"Have a positive mindset, get in a game, get an opportunity, play my game and give them no reason to take me out,” he said of his approach. “Get an opportunity, just take it and try to do my best.

“For me personally, getting up here as fast as I could was the mindset. I’m pretty happy and I’m excited to be here.”

Foote is more of a defense-first, physical blueliner in the NHL, but he did have a chance to work on his offensive attributes in his three-game Utica experience.

“Down there I was fortunate to be in more of an offensive role. It was nice to work on that part of my game,” said the 6-foot-5, 224-pounder. “It was nice to get on the power play, get some more touches, get to feel the puck a little bit more. Coming here I have to be more defensive and take care of my end first. Those touches, those reps help with power play. I’m feeling pretty good.”

Foote, who was told of the recall Saturday night and arrived late Sunday night in Newark, has two points in the AHL this season. The Devils and Comets play similar systems and it should help Foote make a quick jump into the NHL.

“They’re very similar. For me D zone is the same,” he said. “The neutral zone is pretty similar too, change it up depending on the team. It’s pretty much the exact same. That makes the transition a little easier.”

HE SAID IT: 

Ruff on the goalie rotation: "We want to use both guys. There may be times where one guy takes over. I think if you look at the schedule, we have back-to-back, we have 3-in-4. It’s another situation where we need both goaltenders to play."

Brendan Smith on working with Luke Hughes: "More than anything it's just the chemistry. I know that he wants to make his move, then we have to figure out if I'm there to help or to be an outlet. There are lots of things we're learning and that will come with time."