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Kovacevic notched an assist and blocked two shots in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Jets.
Kovacevic missed the first three months of the season while recovering from knee surgery. He logged 18:14 of ice time in his season debut, playing on the second pairing. He'll be more of a shutdown defenseman than a scorer -- he had a career-high 17 points in 81 regular-season outings last season while adding 102 hits and 99 blocked shots. The bigger change with Kovacevic's return is the potential exit of Dougie Hamilton, who was a healthy scratch Sunday. The Devils are deep on the blue line and can afford to make a move, but it would likely be Simon Nemec who benefits the most if Hamilton is ultimately traded, while Kovacevic may still pick up some extra defensive minutes.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Removed from LTIR
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Kovacevic (knee) was activated from long-term injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL media site.
Following a 44-game absence due to offseason knee surgery, Kovacevic is poised to make his 2025-26 debut against Winnipeg on Sunday. He registered one goal, 17 points, 76 shots on net, 99 blocked shots and 102 hits across 81 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season. Kovacevic's return to action will make Dougie Hamilton a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the Jets.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Moves to long-term injured reserve
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Kovacevic (knee) has been moved to long-term injured reserve, PuckPedia reports Sunday.
Kovacevic isn't expected to join the lineup anytime soon, as the Devils ruled him out indefinitely at the start of training camp. It's unclear how he's progressing in his recovery, but it appears as if he'll miss a significant portion of the 2025-26 campaign. Seamus Casey (lower body) is on the shelf as well, so Dennis Cholowski is the club's lone extra blueliner at this time.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Lands on non-roster IR
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Kovacevic (knee) was put on non-roster injured reserve Monday.
The Devils ruled Kovacevic out indefinitely as of Sept. 18 while he works his way back from offseason knee injury. The 2017 third-round pick accounted for one goal, 16 assists, 102 hits and a plus-10 rating over a career-high 81 regular-season contests in 2024-25. Simon Nemec is expected to receive an uptick in playing time while Kovacevic is on the shelf.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Ruled out indefinitely
Rotowire
Kovacevic (knee) was deemed out indefinitely by the team Thursday.
Kovacevic was not expected to be back in time for Opening Night after undergoing offseason knee surgery. Still, it seems like the 28-year-old blueliner will be out even longer based on this update. With Kovacevic out of action, Simon Nemec could get more opportunities to feature in the early months of the season.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Will miss start of regular season
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Kovacevic (knee) won't be available for Opening Night, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports Wednesday.
Although it's now known that Kovacevic will miss at least some of the 2025-26 regular season while he recovers from the knee surgery he underwent May 8, there isn't a more specific timetable for his return. The 28-year-old had a goal, 17 points, 72 PIM, 76 shots, 102 hits and 99 blocks across 81 regular-season outings with New Jersey in 2024-25. Kovacevic's absence increases the chances that Simon Nemec will feature on the Devils' Opening Night roster.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Has knee surgery Thursday
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Kovacevic underwent knee surgery Thursday and won't be ready for the start of training camp, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kovacevic's timeline hasn't officially ruled him out for Opening Night of the Devils' 2025-26 campaign, but this update certainly doesn't bode well for the blueliner. The Ontario native is coming off a career year in which he set new personal bests in games played (81), assists (16) and points (17). Even if Kovacevic is ready for the start of the season, he may be hard-pressed to push for the 20-point threshold, especially considering he has yet to reach that mark in his career.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Likely headed for surgery
Rotowire
Kovacevic is dealing with a knee injury that will probably require surgery, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports Thursday.
Kovacevic missed the Devils' last two games due to his knee injury and could be in danger of being sidelined for the start of training camp in the fall. Fortunately for the 27-year-old defenseman, he signed a new five-year deal with the Devils in March, otherwise, he'd be heading into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent with a questionable knee.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Won't play in Game 5
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Kovacevic (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup for Tuesday's Game 5 versus Carolina, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kovacevic suffered his undisclosed injury in Game 3 on Friday and will now be shelved for his second straight contest. Considering the 27-year-old defenseman is stuck in a 14-game point drought, his absence is unlikely to impact the majority of fantasy managers. Still, with Luke Hughes (upper body) and Brenden Dillon (lower body) also sidelined, the Devils have had to dig into their depth on the blue line.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Ruled out Sunday
Rotowire
Kovacevic (undisclosed) will not play Sunday in Game 4 against Carolina.
Kovacevic will miss Sunday's contest after suffering an injury early in Friday's Game 3. With Kovacevic, Luke Hughes (upper body) and Brenden Dillon (lower body) all sidelined, Dennis Cholowski is expected to slot back into New Jersey's lineup on the third pairing.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Questionable for Sunday
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Kovacevic (undisclosed) is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 matchup versus Carolina, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports.
Kovacevic sustained an injury early into Friday's 3-2 double-overtime win over the Hurricanes in Game 3. He hasn't earned a point in three outings this postseason while posting two shots on goal and eight hits. If Kovacevic is out for Sunday's game, Seamus Casey or Dennis Cholowski could draw into the lineup.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Injured early Friday
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Kovacevic sustained an undisclosed injury in Friday's Game 3 versus the Hurricanes, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kovacevic was hurt early in the double-overtime contest, which the Devils ultimately won by a 3-2 score. The 27-year-old can be considered day-to-day ahead of Game 4 on Sunday. If Kovacevic can't play, Seamus Casey or Dennis Cholowski would be top options to draw in.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Set to return for playoffs
Rotowire
Kovacevic (rest) practiced Friday and should be ready for Sunday's Game 1 against Carolina, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kovacevic sat out Wednesday's regular-season finale against Detroit, but he should be back in action for the start of the playoffs. Over 81 regular-season appearances this year, he recorded a goal, 16 assists, 102 hits, 99 blocked shots and 72 PIM while averaging 19:49 of ice time.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Ruled out against Detroit
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Kovacevic has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Red Wings for rest purposes, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kovacevic appeared in each of the Devils' first 81 games of the year, recording a goal, 16 assists, 102 hits, 99 blocked shots and 72 PIM while averaging 19:49 of ice time. He'll get a night off to close out the regular season, but he should be back on the ice when New Jersey begins postseason play.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Grabs helper in loss
Rotowire
Kovacevic notched an assist, two shots on goal, four blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Flames.
Kovacevic snapped a four-game point drought with the helper. He has four assists over 10 outings in March, as well as a plus-1 rating, 12 blocked shots and 11 hits. The 27-year-old blueliner is not a standout on offense by any means, but he's handled a top-four role well for much of the campaign. Kovacevic is up to a career-high 17 points with 67 shots on net, 90 hits, 91 blocks, 51 PIM and a plus-12 rating over 70 contests.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Lends helper in Philadelphia
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Kovacevic logged an even-strength assist, one hit and a plus-1 rating in 21:39 of ice time in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Flyers.
After inking a five-year, $20 million contract extension with New Jersey on Friday, Kovacevic is quickly proving his worth -- he has recorded a primary assist in back-to-back games since signing the deal. The right-shot blueliner has provided one goal, 15 helpers and a plus-12 rating over 65 appearances in 2024-25. Kovacevic is currently skating with newcomer Brian Dumoulin on the second pairing.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Dishes assist Friday
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Kovacevic tallied an assist, two shots on net and two hits in Friday's 6-1 loss to Winnipeg.
In his first game since signing a five-year, $20 million contract extension with New Jersey, Kovacevic had a strong performance offensively with the primary helper on Dawson Mercer's goal. The 27-year-old Kovacevic is up to 14 assists, 15 points, 60 shots on net, 85 hits and 81 blocks in 64 games this season. With Dougie Hamilton (lower body) sidelined for an extended period, Kovacevic should see an increased role at even strength. Kovacevic's assist Friday helped him tie his career high in points. While he still has room to improve offensively, Kovacevic has some value in category leagues and is an all-around blueliner who should be a staple with New Jersey for the next few seasons.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Inks five-year extension
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Kovacevic signed a five-year, $20 million contract extension with the Devils on Friday.
Kovacevic was slated to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, but his deal will keep him under contract with New Jersey through the 2029-2030 season. The 27-year-old is on pace for a career-best season this year, as he's logged a goal, 13 assists, 83 hits, 81 blocked shots and 49 PIM while averaging 19:43 of ice time.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Ends drought with helper
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Kovacevic notched an assist, two shots on goal and three hits in Saturday's 3-1 win over Utah.
The helper snapped a 13-game slump for Kovacevic, who posted a minus-3 rating, 21 hits, and 17 blocked shots in that span. The 27-year-old blueliner has been a moderately effective shutdown defender in 2024-25. He has recorded 14 points, including a career-high 13 assists, while adding 58 shots on net, 79 blocked shots, 82 hits and a plus-12 rating across 61 appearances. He needs just two points to set a new personal best.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Records helper in overtime loss
Rotowire
Kovacevic notched an assist and two shots on goal in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs.
Kovacevic remains more of a shutdown defenseman, but he has three helpers over 10 outings since the holiday break. The 27-year-old blueliner is up to 13 points through 47 contests, matching his production from 62 games last season. He's added 44 shots on net, 58 hits, 62 blocked shots, 35 PIM and a plus-14 rating in 2024-25 while playing in a top-four role.
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