The New Jersey Devils announced that defenceman Dougie Hamilton has been placed on IR with a torn left pectoral muscle, which was operated on earlier today. Hamilton has put up five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 20 games this season. He has been the team’s top defenceman; Jonas Sieghanthaler is expected to take his spot on the top pair in Hamilton’s absence. The 30-year-old defenceman has played 12 seasons in the NHL, spending time with the Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, and New Jersey Devils, appearing in 771 games and putting up 142 goals and 319 assists for 461 points. With Hamilton out of the lineup and defenceman Brendan Smith suspended, the Devils have recalled Simon Nemec from Utica, who is making his NHL debut tonight vs San Jose Sharks. Nemec has two goals and six assists for eight points in 13 games this season with the Comets.
New Jersey also announced that Tomas Nosek will be out indefinitely after he re-aggravated his right foot injury, which he suffered in October, and that injury has caused him to miss ten games. Nosek has only played in six games this season and has yet to find the scoresheet. The 31-year-old winger is in his ninth year in the league as he’s spent time with the Detroit Red Wings, Vegas Golden Knights, Boston Bruins, and the Devils, where he has put up 42 goals and 59 assists for 101 points in 404 games.