Through 43 games played, Kuokkanen has five goals and six assists for 11 total points, which is down from his production last season. During the 2020-21 campaign, Kuokkanen contributed eight goals and 17 assists for 25 points in 50 total games. Due to his inability to contribute to the same level as before his wrist injury, the Devils placed Kuokkanen on the IR.
"We took him out because of that reason, that we felt he couldn't be productive the way he was," Ruff said. "If he's back in the lineup it wouldn't be a case where he's being hampered, he'd be full-go and feels like he can play to his full potential."
"I think for a couple months, it slowly got worse. So I think it was time for a little break and make my wrist feel better," Kuokkanen said on the decision to put him on the IR. "I feel good … I'm totally ready (now) so let's see what happens."
Thompson suffered his upper-body injury early in the 2021-22 campaign, after only playing two games for the Devils and seven for the Utica Comets. The right wing's last game in the AHL was on Nov. 7 before Thompson joined the Devils for two games on Nov. 9 and 11. Within the week of his most recent game, Thompson was put on the IR.
"Tyce gave us great energy when he played for us, disappointing to see him get hurt that early in the process, but he'll be back soon too," Ruff added about Thompson's impact in the lineup and his progress.
Thompson and Devils forward Miles Wood spent the majority of their rehabbing together over the last few months, as both players had surgery around the same time. As a result, the two grew close and Wood was excited to see Thompson back.
"Me and (Thompson) were kind of on the same timeline there, we got the surgeries around the same time, so I grew very close with Tyce," Wood said. "It's certainly nice to have him back and skating again."
Both Kuokkanen and Thompson returned to on-ice team activities on March 11; however, were wearing non-contact jerseys at that time. When the Devils went on its most recent road-trip, a three-game swing through western Canada, New Jersey left these injured players at home to give them practice time without the long travel days.
When asked about who was expected to back and when, Coach Ruff gave the order he believes Kuokkanen, Thompson, and Wood will return.
"I would say Kuokkanen is the closest. Right now it looks like him, then Wood, then Tyce."
