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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Appears on injured non-roster list
Rotowire
Kovacevic (knee) will begin the 2026-27 regular season on the injured non-roster list, per Mike Morreale of NHL.com.
Kovacevic was a limited participant across the majority of New Jersey's training camp and didn't appear in a preseason game. The 29-year-old blueliner battled through injuries early in the 2025-26 regular season as well, where he posted eight points, 30 shots on net, 57 hits and 39 blocked shots across 34 games. When he's available to return, he'll likely begin the season as the team's sixth or seventh defenseman, as he and Declan Chisholm are the team's current candidates to claim the right-defenseman role on New Jersey's third pairing.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Limited action to start camp
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Kovacevic (knee) will be a limited participant to start New Jersey's training camp.
Kovacevic underwent a minor procedure in his right knee during the 2025-26 offseason, so he'll ramp up to playing shape slowly during training camp. The 29-year-old blueliner is coming off a season where he appeared in 34 regular-season games, compiling eight assists, 30 shots on net, 57 hits and 39 blocked shots. Once he's back to full strength, he'll likely battle for an everyday role against New Jersey's other right shot defensemen, such as Brett Pesce and Declan Chisholm.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Pockets assist in win
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Kovacevic notched an assist and two hits in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Red Wings.
Kovacevic has earned four assists over his last nine outings. The 28-year-old is filling a top-four role and a spot on the penalty kill. He's had a relatively quiet campaign with just eight assists, 29 shots on net, 56 hits, 38 blocked shots and 38 PIM across 32 appearances. He missed the first half of the campaign while recovering from a knee surgery.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Two points Saturday
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Kovacevic pocketed two assists in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rangers.
The 28-year-old blueliner had a hand in tallies by Jesper Bratt in the first period and an empty-netter in the third that completed a hat trick for Jack Hughes. It was Kovacevic's first multi-point performance of the season, and in 15 games since a belated 2025-26 debut due to knee surgery, he's produced four assists, 27 hits, 19 blocked shots, 15 shots on net, 15 PIM and a minus-8 rating.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Assist in season debut
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Kovacevic notched an assist and blocked two shots in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Jets.
Kovacevic missed the first three months of the season while recovering from knee surgery. He logged 18:14 of ice time in his season debut, playing on the second pairing. He'll be more of a shutdown defenseman than a scorer -- he had a career-high 17 points in 81 regular-season outings last season while adding 102 hits and 99 blocked shots. The bigger change with Kovacevic's return is the potential exit of Dougie Hamilton, who was a healthy scratch Sunday. The Devils are deep on the blue line and can afford to make a move, but it would likely be Simon Nemec who benefits the most if Hamilton is ultimately traded, while Kovacevic may still pick up some extra defensive minutes.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Removed from LTIR
Rotowire
Kovacevic (knee) was activated from long-term injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL media site.
Following a 44-game absence due to offseason knee surgery, Kovacevic is poised to make his 2025-26 debut against Winnipeg on Sunday. He registered one goal, 17 points, 76 shots on net, 99 blocked shots and 102 hits across 81 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season. Kovacevic's return to action will make Dougie Hamilton a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the Jets.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Moves to long-term injured reserve
Rotowire
Kovacevic (knee) has been moved to long-term injured reserve, PuckPedia reports Sunday.
Kovacevic isn't expected to join the lineup anytime soon, as the Devils ruled him out indefinitely at the start of training camp. It's unclear how he's progressing in his recovery, but it appears as if he'll miss a significant portion of the 2025-26 campaign. Seamus Casey (lower body) is on the shelf as well, so Dennis Cholowski is the club's lone extra blueliner at this time.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Lands on non-roster IR
Rotowire
Kovacevic (knee) was put on non-roster injured reserve Monday.
The Devils ruled Kovacevic out indefinitely as of Sept. 18 while he works his way back from offseason knee injury. The 2017 third-round pick accounted for one goal, 16 assists, 102 hits and a plus-10 rating over a career-high 81 regular-season contests in 2024-25. Simon Nemec is expected to receive an uptick in playing time while Kovacevic is on the shelf.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Ruled out indefinitely
Rotowire
Kovacevic (knee) was deemed out indefinitely by the team Thursday.
Kovacevic was not expected to be back in time for Opening Night after undergoing offseason knee surgery. Still, it seems like the 28-year-old blueliner will be out even longer based on this update. With Kovacevic out of action, Simon Nemec could get more opportunities to feature in the early months of the season.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Will miss start of regular season
Rotowire
Kovacevic (knee) won't be available for Opening Night, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports Wednesday.
Although it's now known that Kovacevic will miss at least some of the 2025-26 regular season while he recovers from the knee surgery he underwent May 8, there isn't a more specific timetable for his return. The 28-year-old had a goal, 17 points, 72 PIM, 76 shots, 102 hits and 99 blocks across 81 regular-season outings with New Jersey in 2024-25. Kovacevic's absence increases the chances that Simon Nemec will feature on the Devils' Opening Night roster.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Has knee surgery Thursday
Rotowire
Kovacevic underwent knee surgery Thursday and won't be ready for the start of training camp, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kovacevic's timeline hasn't officially ruled him out for Opening Night of the Devils' 2025-26 campaign, but this update certainly doesn't bode well for the blueliner. The Ontario native is coming off a career year in which he set new personal bests in games played (81), assists (16) and points (17). Even if Kovacevic is ready for the start of the season, he may be hard-pressed to push for the 20-point threshold, especially considering he has yet to reach that mark in his career.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Likely headed for surgery
Rotowire
Kovacevic is dealing with a knee injury that will probably require surgery, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports Thursday.
Kovacevic missed the Devils' last two games due to his knee injury and could be in danger of being sidelined for the start of training camp in the fall. Fortunately for the 27-year-old defenseman, he signed a new five-year deal with the Devils in March, otherwise, he'd be heading into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent with a questionable knee.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Won't play in Game 5
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Kovacevic (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup for Tuesday's Game 5 versus Carolina, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kovacevic suffered his undisclosed injury in Game 3 on Friday and will now be shelved for his second straight contest. Considering the 27-year-old defenseman is stuck in a 14-game point drought, his absence is unlikely to impact the majority of fantasy managers. Still, with Luke Hughes (upper body) and Brenden Dillon (lower body) also sidelined, the Devils have had to dig into their depth on the blue line.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Ruled out Sunday
Rotowire
Kovacevic (undisclosed) will not play Sunday in Game 4 against Carolina.
Kovacevic will miss Sunday's contest after suffering an injury early in Friday's Game 3. With Kovacevic, Luke Hughes (upper body) and Brenden Dillon (lower body) all sidelined, Dennis Cholowski is expected to slot back into New Jersey's lineup on the third pairing.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Questionable for Sunday
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Kovacevic (undisclosed) is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 matchup versus Carolina, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports.
Kovacevic sustained an injury early into Friday's 3-2 double-overtime win over the Hurricanes in Game 3. He hasn't earned a point in three outings this postseason while posting two shots on goal and eight hits. If Kovacevic is out for Sunday's game, Seamus Casey or Dennis Cholowski could draw into the lineup.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Injured early Friday
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Kovacevic sustained an undisclosed injury in Friday's Game 3 versus the Hurricanes, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kovacevic was hurt early in the double-overtime contest, which the Devils ultimately won by a 3-2 score. The 27-year-old can be considered day-to-day ahead of Game 4 on Sunday. If Kovacevic can't play, Seamus Casey or Dennis Cholowski would be top options to draw in.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Set to return for playoffs
Rotowire
Kovacevic (rest) practiced Friday and should be ready for Sunday's Game 1 against Carolina, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kovacevic sat out Wednesday's regular-season finale against Detroit, but he should be back in action for the start of the playoffs. Over 81 regular-season appearances this year, he recorded a goal, 16 assists, 102 hits, 99 blocked shots and 72 PIM while averaging 19:49 of ice time.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Ruled out against Detroit
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Kovacevic has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Red Wings for rest purposes, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kovacevic appeared in each of the Devils' first 81 games of the year, recording a goal, 16 assists, 102 hits, 99 blocked shots and 72 PIM while averaging 19:49 of ice time. He'll get a night off to close out the regular season, but he should be back on the ice when New Jersey begins postseason play.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Grabs helper in loss
Rotowire
Kovacevic notched an assist, two shots on goal, four blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Flames.
Kovacevic snapped a four-game point drought with the helper. He has four assists over 10 outings in March, as well as a plus-1 rating, 12 blocked shots and 11 hits. The 27-year-old blueliner is not a standout on offense by any means, but he's handled a top-four role well for much of the campaign. Kovacevic is up to a career-high 17 points with 67 shots on net, 90 hits, 91 blocks, 51 PIM and a plus-12 rating over 70 contests.
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Devils' Johnny Kovacevic: Lends helper in Philadelphia
Rotowire
Kovacevic logged an even-strength assist, one hit and a plus-1 rating in 21:39 of ice time in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Flyers.
After inking a five-year, $20 million contract extension with New Jersey on Friday, Kovacevic is quickly proving his worth -- he has recorded a primary assist in back-to-back games since signing the deal. The right-shot blueliner has provided one goal, 15 helpers and a plus-12 rating over 65 appearances in 2024-25. Kovacevic is currently skating with newcomer Brian Dumoulin on the second pairing.
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