Devils Morning Skate Notebook: Tatar Update, Roster Moves, Lineup & More

The New Jersey Devils hit the ice at 10:30 A.M. for their morning skate at Prudential Center before traveling across the Hudson River to face the New York Rangers on Monday.

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Ahead of the team’s on-ice session, the organization announced forwards Mike Hardman and Nathan Légaré were recalled from the Utica Comets (American Hockey League). In a corresponding move, Shane Bowers was re-assigned to the Comets, who will play Wednesday night.

Veteran winger Tomas Tatar, who is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury, was not on the ice with his teammates. Head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters that the 34-year-old is improving and would be “very surprised” if Tatar is not available for their next game.

Nathan Bastian was skating with his teammates in a full shield. He has recently participated in morning skates and today served as a placeholder for Jack Hughes, who was not at the morning skate but will play against New York.

The coaching staff used the following lines and pairs:

Ondrej Palat – (Nathan Bastian) – Jesper Bratt

Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Stefan Noesen

Paul Cotter – Erik Haula – Dawson Mercer

Mike Hardman – Justin Dowling – Nathan Légaré

Brenden Dillon – Dougie Hamilton

Jonas Siegenthaler – Johnathan Kovacevic

Luke Hughes – Brett Pesce

Tonight will mark Légaré’s NHL debut. A 74th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, his career began with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization before he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. The Devils acquired him from Montreal in exchange for Arnaud Durandeau – who they acquired in a trade for Tyce Thompson – on Mar. 11, 2024.

Per MSGN play-by-play announcer Bill Spaulding, Jacob Markstrom was in the starter’s net. The goaltender has a 9-4-2 record in 16 games with a goals-against average of 2.43 and a save percentage of .916 versus the Rangers in his career.

Rangers’ Matt Rempe remains in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Last season, he played three games against New Jersey and was ejected from each one with one match penalty and two game misconducts.

Fans can watch tonight’s broadcast on MSGSN or listen to it on the Devils Hockey Network.

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