Pesce was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and Thursday's morning skate but skated as an "extra," and is not yet ready for game action as he will sit out Game 6 on Thursday. The 29-year-old has only been able to compete in two playoff games so far this year and has an assist, one SOG, two PIMs and a +1 plus/minus.
Halonen made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and signed a two-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 with New Jersey on Thursday. The 25-year-old undrafted left-winger appeared in two games for the Devils this season, failing to pick up a point with two SOG while averaging 8:17 TOI/GP.
Pesce was a full participant in Wednesday's practice but skated as an "extra," which suggests that he won't be available for Game 6 on Thursday. Monitor his status during Thursday's morning skate to get a concrete answer on his availability.
Legare was acquired mid-way through the season from Montreal for Arnaud Durandeau and has signed a one-year, two-way contract with New Jersey into the 2024-25 season. The 23-year-old former captain of Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) finished his third season in the AHL in 2023-24 and had eight goals, and four assists in 54 games played this season with Laval and Utica.
Willman appeared in 18 games for New Jersey in 2023-24 and had three goals and four points to go along with 17 SOG and has signed a two-way, contract extension worth $775,000 on Tuesday. The 29-year-old has appeared in 68 games across three NHL seasons and has seven goals and 10 points.
Malek was New Jersey's 2021 fourth-round pick (100th overall) and signed a two-year, entry-level contract on Monday. The 22-year-old goaltender is coming off his second season with Ilves (Liiga), where he posted an impressive 16-4-5 record, 2.32 GAA and .915 SV%.
Casey was New Jersey's 2022 fourth-round pick (46th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Monday worth $2.85 million ($950,000AAV). The 20-year-old defenseman just finished his Sophmore campaign with the University of Michigan (NCAA), and had seven goals and 45 points in 40 games played.
Pesce has been out since Game 2 due to a lower-body injury and will miss at least the first two games of Carolina's Round 2 series vs. New York. The 29-year-old picked up an assist, one SOG, two PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through his two games played prior to his injury.
Pesce recently removed his walking boot but his status for Round 2 is still uncertain. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said the team remains hopeful that he'll play at some point vs. the Rangers. Look for Tony DeAngelo to remain his replacement in Game 1.
Brett Pesce (lower-body injury) is out of a walking boot. If everything goes as expected, he should play games in Round 2. He may not be ready for Game 1, but the team is hoping to have him available at some point during the series. In his two playoff games before his injury, he had an assist, one SOG and two PIMs while averaging 14:18 TOI/GP.
Schmelzer is an undrafted 30-year-old who has yet to play an NHL game but has spent most of the last six seasons in the AHL. In 72 games with the Utica Comets (AHL) this season, Schmelzer recorded 52 points (18G / 34A).
Bowers was the 28th overall pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and has been limited to only nine career NHL games. He played eight games with the Devils this season but spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, scoring 14 points (10G / 4A) in 43 games with the Utica Comets.
Dillion did not play in game four due to a hand injury and will miss a second straight game on Tuesday night. The Jets find themselves in a 3-1 series deficit, now without Dillon, who had three assists, 12 hits, and six blocks while averaging 21:04 time-on-ice through the first three games of the series.
There was a massive scrum at the end of Game 3, which left Dillon's hand bloodied as he skated to the dressing room. Head coach Rick Bowness did not have an update on his status post-game, but expect Logan Stanley to replace him if he's unavailable for Game 4 on Sunday.
Pesce was limited to only 8:47 time-on-ice in the Hurricanes' 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders in game two due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Pesce's presence will be sorely missed on the Hurricanes blueline as he is expected to miss at least the remainder of the first round. In 70 games this season, Pesce had 13 points (3G / 10A) and 113 blocks while averaging 20:17 time-on-ice.
After a slow start to his first full season with the Devils, scoring only 22 points (10G / 12A) in his first 43 games, Meier settled into his role with his new team, ending the season with a blistering 30 points (18G / 12A) in his final 26 contests. Meier should be ready for the start of training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery and will hope to build on his momentum from the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said that Pesce's injury is "not looking good" and that he would be re-evaluated on Tuesday. It sounds like Pesce is going to miss some time, which would be a huge blow to the Hurricanes' blueline. Luckily, they have great depth at the position and can turn to either veteran Tony DeAngelo or rookie Scott Morrow in Game 3 if Pesce is unavailable.
With the Jets locked into a first-round matchup with the Colorado Avalanche, they will sit a number of players in their season finale. Dillon, who will be replaced by Nate Schmidt on Thursday, finishes the season with a career-high eight goals and 12 assists (20 points) in 77 games.
Tatar will draw in for Eeli Tolvanen, who is a surprise scratch for Tuesday's game in Winnipeg. Tatar has eight goals and 15 assists in 68 games split between the Kraken and Avalanche this season.
