Training camp buzz: Pesce won’t join Devils in Prague for season opener

New Jersey Devils

Brett Pesce will not be able to join the Devils in Prague to start the NHL regular season.

The defenseman, who signed a six-year contract with New Jersey on July 1 after nine seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, remains week to week as he continues to recover from surgery to repair a fracture of the fibula. He was injured in the second period of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the New York Islanders last season, which the Hurricanes won in five games.

“Pesce isn’t with us on the trip, but obviously he’s progressing well to the point where he was able to skate with us before we left,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said. “I believe the intention is that by staying back it will give him time, with our limited practice time and just the numbers that we have, he would be able to get better reps and more reps training with the players who are still back in Jersey.

New Jersey will face the Buffalo Sabers on Friday (1 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, MSGSN, MSG-B) and Saturday (10 a.m. ET; NHLN, SN, MSGSN, MSG-B) in the NHL Global Series Czechia 2024 presented by Fastenal. .

“He’s just going to continue to work and prepare to be ready to go as soon as he feels comfortable and strong enough to do so,” Keefe said. “He’s not there yet, but he’s making progress.”

Pesce was three weeks post-surgery when he signed with the Devils. –Mike G. Morreale