Kovalchuk not ready to rejoin Devils

New Jersey Devils right wing Ilya Kovalchuk will not be returning to the lineup Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Kovalchuk, who will miss his 11th straight game with a right shoulder injury, told reporters Wednesday he would determine whether he would be able to play against the Flyers after his team's morning skate Thursday. But Devils coach Peter DeBoer said Kovalchuk would not be making the trip to Philadelphia.

According to The (Bergen) Record, DeBoer said the plan was for Kovalchuk to go to Philadelphia, but decided after a brief conversation following Wednesday's practice that he wasn't ready to rejoin the team.

Kovalchuk reportedly was on a line with center Adam Henrique and left wing Dainius Zubrus during New Jersey's morning skate on Wednesday in Newark, N.J.

Since injuring his shoulder in the third period of a victory over the Florida Panthers on March 23, the Devils have equaled a team record with 10 straight losses (0-6-4) and have been outscored 26-16.