The New Jersey Devils opened on-ice training sessions on Sept. 17, but announced that forward Nick Bjugstad will miss training camp while recovering from a torn left pectoral muscle, according to The Hockey Writers. Bjugstad sustained the injury during offseason training earlier in the month and subsequently underwent a successful surgical repair last week.
Devils Roster Adjustments and Recovery Timelines
According to The Hockey Writers, Bjugstad faces an estimated recovery timeline of four to six months. He appeared in 26 games for New Jersey last season after arriving in a February trade with the St. Louis Blues, recording two assists and 23 shots while averaging 10:00 of ice time primarily on the fourth line. He is currently playing out the final year of a $3.5 million contract.
Meanwhile, defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic will participate as a limited participant in training camp as he recovers from an offseason procedure on his right knee, as reported by The Hockey Writers. Kovacevic missed the first half of the 2025–26 campaign due to a torn ACL and played just 34 games last season, tallying eight assists with an average of 17:52 of ice time. He carries a $4 million cap hit with four years remaining on an extension signed last March.
Options for New Jersey’s Fourth Line
With Bjugstad sidelined for the start of the season, New Jersey faces decisions regarding its forward depth. According to The Hockey Writers, candidates to fill the fourth-line vacancy include Amadeus Lombardi, acquired from the Detroit Red Wings ahead of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, or shifting Jesper Boqvist to fourth-line center to accommodate line shuffles.
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