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The Devils are practicing Tuesday afternoon in New Jersey at the Prudential Center for the first time in nine days following their trip to Prague, Czechia to open the Global Series.

Yesterday, the club announced the official roster for the start of the 2024-25 regular season.

Stay tuned to the notebook for the latest info, updates, interviews, videos and more from the practice session!

Luke Who's Back

The Devils are holding two practice sessions today. The first features the defensemen and goaltenders, while the second will only be the forwards.

Two notables were at the first session, injured blueliners Luke Hughes (shoulder) and Brett Pesce (ankle).

"The status remains the same," Keefe said of the two. "They're continue to work. Different injuries so they'll be able to do different things out there. But neither player is near a return at this point."

Emotional Opener, Maybe

Thursday’s home opener will feature Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe facing his former club for the first time.

Keefe began his coaching career with Toronto (first the American Hockey League affiliate in 2015 and then the NHL cub in 2019). He led the Maple Leafs to five consecutive playoff appearances during his tenure.

Keefe was honest about his emotions with the game upcoming.

“I don’t know, I’ve never coached against a team that I’ve been associated with in the past,” he said. “I’d like to believe that I’m focused enough and content enough with where I’m at that I’m not concerned about anything else outside of the task of competing with one of the league’s top teams.”

The Devils players know how important the game will be Thursday and they want to get a win for their new coach.

“For him we’re super happy and fortunate to have him be our coach now. I’m sure it’s one he has circled on the calendar,” Dillon said. “Being Toronto there will be a million storylines. Ultimately, we want to play our best for our coach now.”

“He’ll probably downplay, as he should. But I know it’s going to be an emotional night because I’ve been in that situation,” Kovacevic said. “When the game starts it’s about winning the game. You only have 25 friends when the game starts. We’re going to be locked in trying to get the win for him. That would mean a lot I’m sure to him. We’ll do everything we can.”

Practice Split

The Devils held their first on-ice session since Sunday’s departure from Prague. With the time zone change and general fatigue, the club opted to do an more individual-based practice by splitting up the defense/goaltending group and the forward group.

“Coming back from Prague we wanted to make sure we don’t overdo it with that transition,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “Recovery is the most important thing for us right now. Same time we can get on the ice and get some work done. Isolate some things in a less intense environment but hone in on some details that will show up in tomorrow’s practice and show up inevitably in every game.

“We were able to do two things today. Ease ourselves back into it. We’ll have an intense practice tomorrow. Today was about working on some of those details and turning the lights back on, as they say.”

The defensive group worked on a lot of those small details, including wall play, with assistant coach Ryan McGill.

“We were talking about specific details when you’re in a battle along the wall like stick placement, how you’re going to recover your stick when you go stick on puck one way,” blueliner Johnathan Kovacevic said. “(McGill’s) message for us is that we have a strong D corps and to use our strength. That means working on stick position, but get a guy up against the wall so he can’t move. You eliminate his speed. If you do that a second guy can come in and take the puck.”

And it’s also nice to work with only your positional crew. In this case, the D Union.

“It’s nice to work with the D Union,” Kovacevic said. “The D always look out for each other – not to say we don’t look out for the forwards. It’s nice to breakout into small groups. You get more touches and you work on specific things you need to work on for the position. I think it was a good practice today.”

The same sentiment was felt by the forward group.

“It wasn’t the hardest practice in the world. It’s a tough travel but it’s important to get a sweat in,” forward Erik Haula said. “Got some work done today. It was great. I’m confident we’ll feel better for it tomorrow and Thursday.”

He Said It:

Kovacevic on his "Kovechkin" nickname: "It’s fine. I get it. It’s funny. I’m a big Ovi fan. I don’t think I quite shoot the puck like him. Bit of a different style of game. It was funny. Anything the boys can roll with is a good name."

He Said It 2:

Dillon on wearing an 'A' on his chest: "It’s an honor. Any time your teammates and the coaching staff give you that honor, it means a lot to me. For our group I’m so happy to be a Devil and proud to be a Devil. Having an ‘A’ on my jersey and the guys that did that before and what that means. I may not be the biggest rah-rah guy but I lead by example. And make sure that the guys are going as best we can."