News Devils Team Notes

[New Jersey Devils]

Devils in the Details – 12/12/25: Team Meeting Edition

Here are your links for today:

Devils Links​

Another brutal outing for Jacob Markstrom on Thursday night. He got pulled after giving up three goals to the Lightning on seven shots, and the Devils went on to lose by an 8-4 score. [Devils NHL]

FWIW:

Jesper Bratt shared that the #NJDevils had a team meeting after tonight’s game and called it a “vocal” and “honest conversation.”

Said the details will remain in the room.

— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) December 12, 2025

"We can’t just flush this. We got our ass kicked today. We were outworked, outcompeted, outclassed in lots of ways. This is one not to push past. There's some real lessons in this one." – #NJDevils HC Sheldon Keefe after the 8-4 loss to Tampa.

— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) December 12, 2025

All the best to Timo and his family:

#NEWS: Timo Meier has taken a personal leave of absence from the team as he tends to a family health matter.

The entire organization supports Timo and his family and appreciates everyone respecting their privacy at this time.https://t.co/0qpBXTFDHp

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) December 11, 2025

Some intel here on a Quinn Hughes trade and the business the Devils are trying to do: “On the Devils: they are legitimately trying to get business done, but to add, they have to subtract. If the team they are trading with isn’t willing to take back salary, they must find other options — which they are trying to do.” [Sportsnet]

Who are the most successful undrafted Devils in franchise history? [New Jersey Hockey Now]

Hockey Links​

Which teams could be in on the Quinn Hughes sweepstakes? [Daily Faceoff]

Welcome back, Charlie McAvoy:

Charlie McAvoy is BACK in the lineup less than a month after breaking his jaw. https://t.co/VsMQtH6nmJ pic.twitter.com/BY3AROHrEO

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 12, 2025

Which GMs have had the worst long stint with their teams? “But now and then, for a variety of reasons, a team sticks with a guy well past the point that results would dictate. Those are the guys we’re interested in today, as we count down the 10 worst GMs to get at least five years with the same team.” [The Athletic ($)]

An impressive run:

HISTORY FOR BRANDON BUSSI! pic.twitter.com/d8OrFo4pwl

— NHL (@NHL) December 12, 2025

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.

Source: https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/d...-in-the-details-12-12-25-team-meeting-edition

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Well Wishes to Timo Meier — and Devils Injury News

Yesterday morning, the New Jersey Devils announced that Timo Meier had to step away from the team for a personal leave of absence to attend to a family health matter. Given the nature of the leave, of course, we do not know exactly why Timo Meier has had to step away from the team. But while the team will miss Timo on the ice, I think it is very important to keep him in our thoughts.

On the ice, Timo Meier is a model of hard work and grit. Off the ice, Timo always seems to have a positive attitude in his public appearances as one of the most apparently affable members of the New Jersey Devils. Both on the ice and off of it, Timo is a model for everyone to follow. But hockey is just one thing, and family is another. I hope that, regardless of what is going on, Timo spends as much time with his family as he needs to.

So, again, please remember to keep Timo and his family in your thoughts. When he does come back to the team, I hope that the crowd at the Rock gives him a big hand.

(Unexpected) Devils Injury News — Arseny Gritsyuk Out​

This morning, Devils writers noted that three Devils — Arseny Gritsyuk, Cody Glass, and Stefan Noesen — were missing from practice. While Cody Glass and Stefan Noesen have dealt with injuries over the last few months, and a maintenance day was not too out of the ordinary for players in their situations, Gritsyuk had not yet missed a game this season.

Unfortunately, that’s about to change. Team writers reported that Sheldon Keefe told the media that Gritsyuk has recently been battling through a lingering issue and is out for the weekend back-to-back. Per the Devils’ website on NHL.com:

“(Gritsyuk is) going to need some time,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “He was dealing with it in the game yesterday and it hasn’t gotten better.”

The young winger has 16 points in 31 games in a largely third-line role with second-unit power play usage, but he clearly has another gear to his game that he can reach. Gritsyuk has been marked as one of the best players in the entire NHL at tilting the ice, with the Devils enjoying some of the best shot rates in the league at five-on-five during his minutes, regardless of his linemates. How does he do this? Between impeccable forechecking reads, great skating, and silky hands, Gritsyuk is a complete forward.

Hopefully, Gritsyuk is only out for the weekend. The Devils can hardly afford to sustain more injuries (or losses), and he figures to be an integral part of the solution to this team’s issues. For now, though, the healthy Devils need to pick themselves and their teammates up.

Your Thoughts​

What do you think of Gritsyuk’s injury? Do you think it’s related to his minor ankle injury earlier this season? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and thanks for reading.

Source: https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/devils-news/64250/well-wishes-to-timo-meier-and-devils-injury-news

 

[New Jersey Devils]

2025-26 Gamethread #32: New Jersey Devils vs. Anaheim Ducks

The Matchup: New Jersey Devils (17-13-1) at Anaheim Ducks (19-11-1)

The Time: 12:30pm EST

The Broadcast: MSG, Devils Hockey Radio

The Game Preview: Matt had the preview today.

The Song of the Day: California Dreamin’ by The Mamas & The Papas captures the mood at the moment.

The Rules: If you have been a reader here, you already know the rules. But for the rest, a reminder: please do not swear in the comment section, and keep comments relevant to the hockey game going on. Beyond that, do not attack any other commenters, and do not ask for or pass along illegal streams on this board.

LGD!

Source: https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/d...ethread-32-new-jersey-devils-vs-anaheim-ducks

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Game Preview #32: Anaheim Ducks @ New Jersey Devils

Jesper Bratt gets plenty of good looks, but it would be nice to see him shoot on plays like this. | Photo by Rich Graessle/NHL via Getty Images

• The Matchup: Anaheim Ducks (19-11-1) @ New Jersey Devils (17-13-1)
• The Time: 12:30pm EST
• The Broadcast: MSG, Devils Hockey Radio

Last Devils Game​

In case you missed it, or wisely chose to do something else with your night, the Devils lost 8-4 against Tampa Bay on Thursday night. In the latest episode of Markstrom doing Markstrom things, he let up 2 goals less than 1 minute apart, less than 4 minutes into the game. Exactly what you need from your “starter.” Luke “I am on pace for 5 goals this season” Hughes gave the fans some hope by scoring his 2nd goal of the season at the 7:00 min mark. However, Markstrom wasn’t having any of that, and let up his 3rd goal against 56 seconds later (his 3rd GA on 7 shots). Surprisingly (yes, I’m being serious here) Keefe had seen enough and actually pulled Markstrom for Jake Allen at this point. Allen was not about to be outdone by the starter. In showing that he too can be the number one goalie for the Devils, he went on to let up 5 goals on 28 shots.

On the “bright side”, Jesper “it’s ok to shoot” Bratt scored his 1st goal since 11/6. Another way to look at it is that he also scored his 2nd goal since 10/22. Do with this information what you will. Paul Cotter, Stefan Noesen, and Cody Glass got on the board. Maybe they finally realized they have to do something. Maybe not. Angus Crookshank scored his 1st goal of the season. So we have that going for us. Which is nice. The Devils also let up 2 power play goals, oh wait. That’s not actually good news. The Devils did score a power play goal (Bratt), which would be good, if it wasn’t cancelled out by the 2 goals against by Tampa on their PP.

Last Ducks Game​

On Thursday, the Ducks lost to the Islanders by a score of 5-2. The Islanders scored 3 unanswered goals in the 1st period, including 2 power plays goals in a row by Anders Lee. Anaheim scored once in the 2nd and once in the 3rd period to make it 3-2 at one point. However, NY scored 2 more goals later in the 3rd period to win the game 5-2. The game was their first loss after winning their previous 3 games in a row.

One bit of information that I found interesting is that Ville Husso started in goal on Thursday for the Ducks. That is not particularly interesting on its own. What IS interesting (at least to me), is that he has now started the last (checks notes…) 8 games in a row for the Ducks. In 2025, that’s something that is pretty crazy to see. I’m going to guess he starts today against the Devils, but we shall see.

Injuries, Roster for Tonight, Yada, Yada, Yada.​

The latest victim of the injury bug this season is now Arseny Gritsyuk. Per Sheldon Keefe yesterday after practice, Gritsyuk will miss both games this weekend.

Gritsyuk out for both games this weekend for #NJDevils, it’s an injury he had before the game last night and tried to play through.

Glass and Noesen, who also missed today’s practice, will be good to go tomorrow. https://t.co/G9VylTuAf4

— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) December 12, 2025

The other 2 remaining question marks for today are probably “will Timo be back?” and “who will start in net?” My response is pretty much, “does it matter at this point?” Realistically, I don’t expect Timo to be back today or this weekend.

Trust me, I’m as tired of saying it as you are of reading it. But Markstrom is awful (73rd in the league in GAA-3.66, 70th with a SV% of .875). Allen did not inspire confidence last night either. However at least he’s had more good games than bad this season and his stats (33rd in GAA 2.70 and 35th SV% .903) don’t resemble someone that belongs in the ECHL at this point (hint – it’s Markstom. I’m talking about Markstrom).

Grimace’s Prediction and 2025-2026 Record Tracker​

The Devils are going to lose today. Kreider will score a goal on the PP. Sincerely, Grimace.

Grimace’s 2025-2026 Season Prediction record currently stands at 9-8-0.

Your Take​

What else is there to say about this team at this point? I only wish Fitz could play today against Anaheim. Maybe then Jacob Trouba could throw one of his big hits on Fitz and put him out for the season. Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below and thanks for reading!

In a shameless bit of non hockey related self promotion (approved by Chris – thanks Chris), I wanted to plug my brand new podcast on here, if any of you are interested in listening. We have a light hearted, fun discussion about any movies, music or video games mostly from the 1980s and 1990s. Please feel free to listen to us on any of the formats below and any feedback is welcome (positive and negative). Also, please follow us and subscribe, even if you think we stink.

YouTube

Apple Podcast

Spotify

Source: https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/d...me-preview-32-anaheim-ducks-new-jersey-devils