NHL Today: Niederreiter Nets Extension; Devils ‘Lack Respect’ Says Ruff

Good morning, my name is Andrew Fantucchio. It’s Tuesday, December 5, and here’s what’s happening around the NHL today.

Nelson & Dobson Miss Practice; Considered Day-To-Day:

The New York Islanders are already a team depleted by injuries and could have more on the way.

Per an announcement by the team, Brock Nelson and Noah Dobson are considered day-to-day after both missed practice on Monday morning due to maintenance.

In the Islanders’ win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, Nelson left the game in the second period after twisting his knee but returned to play in the third.

If Nelson can’t play against the San Jose Sharks tonight, that opens up the interesting question of how the Islanders fill his center spot on the second line.

Does head coach Lane Lambert break up the pair of Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal? Will moving Pierre Engvall off the wing suffice?

The Islanders may be able to replace Nelson’s minutes, but they certainly can’t replace his scoring ability.

Nelson is the team’s leading goal scorer, while Dobson has been a revelation on the blue line.

The 23-year-old has grown leaps and bounds this season, cementing himself as the Islanders’ top defenseman. Dobson has already shouldered a heavy responsibility following the injuries to Adam Pelech and Sebastian Aho, but losing him would be the biggest blow of all.

Ruff Says Devils Lack Respect for Game:

The New Jersey Devils have underwhelmed so far this season for a multitude of reasons.

Following their loss to the NHL’s worst San Jose Sharks on Friday, head coach Lindy Ruff called out the team’s most glaring issue.

“Just a lack of respect with the puck, on the goals,” Ruff said. “Our puck management on the goals, we’re not respecting the game. We knew we were going to have the majority of the time. We knew we would have zone time.”

The Devils are seventh in the Metropolitan Division and are currently out of the playoff picture after finishing last year with the best single-season point total in franchise history.

Jets Extend Niederreiter:

Nino Niederreiter and the Winnipeg Jets have agreed on a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $4 million.

Give me fuel, give me fire

GIVE ME CONTRACT EXTENSION ⛽️ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZbL2L9hION

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) December 4, 2023

A 13-year NHL veteran, Niederreiter was originally drafted by the New York Islanders and is one of the most well-traveled players in the league, having played for five different organizations.

In 834 career games, Niederreiter has 423 points with 211 goals.

Yesterday’s Scoreboard:

Flyers: 2, Penguins: 1 (OT)

Jets: 2, Hurricanes: 1

Coyotes: 6, Capitals: 0

Lightning: 4, Stars: 0

Canadiens: 4, Kraken: 2

Blues: 2, Golden Knights: 1 (OT)

Today’s Schedule:

All Times EST

San Jose Sharks vs. New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.

New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators, 7:00 p.m.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 7:00 p.m.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres, 7:30 p.m.

Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m.

Minnesota Wild vs. Calgary Flames, 9:00 p.m.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Colorado Avalanche, 9:00 p.m.

New Jersey Devils vs. Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.

More From National Hockey Now:

Philadelphia: Tyson Foerster is emerging as a marquee player for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: It’s a story the Islanders know all too well and are glad to see their Metro rival endure; the Pittsburgh Penguins are bad on the power play.

Detroit: Maybe the Penguins should steal a thing or two from the Detroit Red Wings. They have one of the league’s best power plays, and the addition of Patrick Kane will only make it better.

San Jose: William Eklund will be a big part of the future for the San Jose Sharks, but he has to learn a few things in the present.

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