BOSTON, MA - The Devils held an optional morning skate at TD Bank Garden in Boston. Among those taking part was forward Janne Kuokkanen, who was activated from Injured Reserve (wrist injury).
"Available to play," head coach Lindy Ruff said of his status. "I had a good conversation with him yesterday. We have some extra bodies. The goal is to try to get him back in the lineup."
Kuokkanen has worked to strengthen his wrist to help in holding his stick, catching and making passes and other aspects of the game. He's reached a point where he can handle those items, otherwise he wouldn't have been removed from IR.
"If a particular injury limits you or hurts your play, then it almost renders you an ineffective player," Ruff said.
Forward Tyce Thompson was also removed from IR and assigned to Utica of the American Hockey League.
Home Sweet Home
Boston is home to a couple of Devils players, forwards Miles Wood and Jimmy Vesey.
"It's very special to be back, especially because I'm from here," Wood said. "It means a lot. I have a lot of family and friends that are on their way into the game tonight."
"It's good, especially this year. Last year I didn't get a chance to come back, so it's been a while," Vesey said. "It's good to be home and see some family last night and more coming to the game today. It's always fun. I feel like I'm away so much with hockey and it's nice to be back."
Wood, who hails from Manchester, saw his family last night for dinner. And even though he's played in Boston many times before, he always enjoys it.
"It's always special," he said. "I played some college games here. It's certainly nice to be back playing in front of my family and friends. I don't think that'll ever get old."
Catch Up
Miles Wood returned to the lineup last Sunday, his first game in 321 days due to a hip injury that required surgery. While he ran on adrenaline during the first shift and period, fatigue settled into his game later on.
"It's been a tough grind for him," Ruff said of Wood. "Skating leading up to this and being injured for that amount of time (since October). I expect that every game he should get a little better. I really believe the more you play, that game intensity, you start to catch up."
While the conditioning will take time, the good news is that the hip is completely healthy.
"The hip feels great," Wood said. "As far as conditioning, I'm certainly trying to catch up to it. I haven't played in 300 days. I had major hip surgery. It's not like you're going to come back and feel great that first game. It'll take some time to get back to my old way.
"I think the important thing is getting in as many games as possible and not getting into next year with no games played. It's been a long year and I'm certainly happy just to be here and playing again."
