However, the Finnish forward is ready to go and ready to have an impact whenever he is back in the lineup.
"It feels good, obviously it's been frustrating at times but I look forward to be back in the lineup," Kuokkanen said Friday. "Just play my game, help the team as much as possible. Try to be good in the d-zone and try create a lot of things in the o-zone."
"He's a smart player, he sees the ice well," Ruff said Thursday. "He's a guy that can make play. He's a good penalty killer for us, and probably a little bit of a different role for him but he killed penalties well."
New Jersey had one of the worst penalty kills in the NHL at the start of the season, but have improved to a top-10 spot with help from Kuokkanen's contributions.
"This year I've been playing a lot of penalty kill and I think that's been a big part of my game and I'm really happy to have that chance to be there and trying to fulfill my job."
Kuokkanen was available to play against the Bruins on Thursday but due to the surplus of players back from injury, Ruff said the plan is to get him back soon.
"I had a good conversation with him (Wednesday)," said Ruff. "We have some extra bodies and the goal is to try to get him back into the lineup."
The Devils start a four-game homestand against the Florida Panthers on Saturday and have a total of eight games in the first nine days of April. With this heavy workload Kuokkanen should make his way back into the lineup sooner than later.
