Pesce Returns to Practice | NOTEBOOK

The Devils are practicing at the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House inside Prudential Center on Tuesday before heading to Vegas.

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

Practice Info

Devils defenseman Brett Pesce was on the ice for the club for practice on Tuesday. And judging from the defense pairings, it looks like he may be ready to rejoin the lineup as he skated with Luke Hughes.

"Pesce helps the energy of the group. It’ll be a lot more energetic on the plane. The guys will welcome him back and feel good about his presence," head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "It’s not just the on-ice piece. That’ll take some time to get going. It helps the mood of the team. The mood of the team, the vibe and morale of the group is very important. We’re approaching the dog days here now as we’re approaching Christmas. It’s nice to see him back.

"That’s a pairing (Hughes-Pesce) that we’re quite comfortable with. They’re quite comfortable with each other. We’ll have to see where Pesce’s game is back. That’s one practice that he’s had. Despite the fact that he’s skated a lot on his own and with other injured players. That’s going to take some time. Having some comfort on that pairing hopefully is good for both of them."

As far as Pesce playing in the team's upcoming road trip?

"He's coming on the trip and there's nothing else to do in Vegas so we'll try to get him in a game," Keefe said.

Also noteworthy:

• Forwards Cody Glass and Stefan Noesen did not skate at the start of practice but joined the group later on
• Injured forward Marc McLaughlin did skate with a blue no-contact jersey for an early portion
• Forward Arseny Gritsyuk, who missed the past weekend's back-to-back games, was absent and will not travel

Injury Updates

Keefe on Jack Hughes: "What I’m told, which isn’t much because he’s far away enough that I’m not getting daily updates, he’s on schedule to get re-evaluated after Christmas. We’ll take it from there. It’s encouraging that everything has gone to plan and he’s able to do that but he’s not close to joining the group yet."

Keefe on Gritsyuk: "They need a little bit of time to see where he’s at with recovery. Hopefully by the time we come back we’ll have a better idea of if he’ll be able to join the group or maybe need a little bit longer. He’s not available this week. So, he won’t travel as a result so he can some better treatment here."

Keefe on Nemec: "Nemec is going to be, in two weeks they think they’ll have a better idea of what the next steps are for him. I wouldn’t expect to see him between now and the New Year. We’re have more of an idea as the calendar turns."

Keefe on Dadonov: "I haven’t gotten an update on him in a while so that tells me he’s ways away. He’s skating with a stick but no puck. That’s an indication of where he’s at."

Total Recall

The Devils recalled forward Nathan Legare from Utica of the American Hockey League.

Legare was at home last night when he received the call from Comets head coach Ryan Parent about the callup.

“My suitcase is ready,” he laughed. “I’m lucky to have my fiancé. She helped me a lot. She was cooking dinner while I was doing my suitcase. She’s been great. It’s part of the job. I know my role so it’s good.

“Just getting the call last night, I was really happy. I was on the phone with my dad and Ryan Parent called me. I was happy. Everything turned quick but I’m happy to be here.”

Legare is just the latest Utica player to get the call to join the Devils. Currently, forwards Xavier Parent and Angus Crookshank are working on the fourth line. Parent made his NHL debut while Crookshank chipped in a goal for the Devils.

“You look at XP was pretty good with us in Utica and I think he deserved that callup,” Legare said. “I watched all the games that he’s been here, and I think he’s been good, and Crookshank, too. It’s a new opportunity. I know my role. I know what I can bring to the team to help the team win. That’s what I want to do.”

The 6-foot, 200-pound forward knows his style, knows his game and knows what it will take to stick in the NHL.

“I want to be a power forward that can play reliably defensively and play physical,” he said. “That’s part of my game. I love it. I know that if I want to stick to the NHL I have to play like that every game.”

He Said It:

Keefe on moving Dawson Mercer back to wing: "I’ve liked him. I think that line’s done a good job. I thought in periods two and three, they did everything but score the other day. I thought Mercer had a lot more time with the puck. Not having to play low in our own zone. He had so much more energy on offense. You could see it. That’s a big difference. That’s usually the case when you’re playing wing. You don’t have to skate the full length of the ice all the time. You’re not griding out below the dots in your own end. I saw some of that. It’s been a couple games here now."