Ottawa’s Nick Cousins was helped off the ice last night after Washington defenseman Jakob Chychrun delivered a heavy hit with Cousins’ head down. The replay angles point to a shoulder-on-chest collision, and Chychrun was not penalized on the play.
After the game, Senators head coach Travis Green didn’t sound optimistic about Cousins’ status, though the full evaluation still wasn’t complete. As Julian McKenzie of The Athletic relayed, Green said, “ He’s not doing great. ” Before exiting, Cousins had put up two goals and three points in 19 games for Ottawa this season, along with 42 hits and 44 PIMs.
Chychrun, meanwhile, is not expected to face any further discipline. He has kept a clean record with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety over his 11-year career, and while he isn’t known as a particularly physical defender, he’s still a tough player to absorb at 6’3″ and 215 pounds.
Elsewhere on the injury front, New Jersey lost defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic during the third period of last night’s game against Winnipeg. Team reporter Amanda Stein noted that the Devils started the period without him, and the club later said only that he would need further imaging once the team gets back to New Jersey. Kovacevic has two assists in 13 games this season and carries a +2 rating while averaging 14:40 of ice time.
Buffalo also got a small boost, with the Sabres announcing that goaltender Alex Lyon will travel with the team on its upcoming five-game road trip. Lyon, 33, has dealt with an upper-body injury this season and also suffered a setback a few weeks ago. He is in the final year of the two-year, $3MM contract he signed with Buffalo ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
In Other News...
Devils May Face A Brutal Price To Chase Quinn Hughes
The idea of the Devils going after Quinn Hughes has the kind of appeal that naturally follows a team looking to strengthen its blue line, especially when a proven defenseman is the name at the center of the conversation. The speculation points to a deal built around players and draft picks, which is exactly the sort of package that can make a contender pause, even before any real talks get serious.
For New Jersey, the attraction is obvious: Hughes would fit the kind of high-end defensive upgrade that changes the look of a roster. But the cost is where the story gets complicated, because any pursuit would likely require parting with meaningful pieces the Devils would rather keep. For now, it remains a hypothetical worth watching, with no confirmed trade or official negotiation to point to yet. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Prospect Pipeline Takes Another Hit With Orlov Suddenly Sidelined
The Devils prospect pool took another jolt this week when Daniil Orlov was sidelined after a training accident led to back surgery, a setback that is expected to keep the 22-year-old defenseman out for the rest of the season. Orlov, who is under contract with Spartak Moskva, had been building momentum with a strong start before the injury interrupted his year.
For New Jersey, it is the latest reminder of how fragile the path can be for young defensemen overseas. Orlov had been one of the more encouraging Russian options in the system, and his absence adds to a run of injury trouble that has already affected other Devils Russian blueline prospects, thinning the organizations depth chart at a position it has been trying to cultivate carefully. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Let A Winnable Game Slip Away In Frustrating Loss
Dawson Mercer gave the Devils a lift with two goals, including the game-winner, but it was Winnipeg leaving with the points after a 4-2 result that felt there for New Jersey to take. Jesper Bratt and Cody Glass also found the net for the Devils, yet the offense never quite turned a solid start into the kind of finish that usually decides these tight games.
Kyle Connor matched Mercer with two goals of his own for the Jets, and Winnipegs ability to answer kept New Jersey from ever fully pulling away. The loss drops the Devils to 13-6-0, a reminder that even in a strong start to the season, missed chances can turn a winnable night into a frustrating one. [Read more 🡒]