Kovacevic returns to Devils lineup after knee surgery
New Jersey activated defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic from injured reserve on Saturday. He had knee surgery in May and missed training camp, but is eligible to make his season debut against Vancouver. Kovacevic is in the second year of a five-year, $4 million AAV contract.
New Jersey moved Johnathan Kovacevic off injured reserve Saturday. The defenseman had knee surgery in May, which kept him out of training camp, and he can play his first game this season when the Devils face Vancouver.
Kovacevic is in year two of a five-year extension signed in March 2025, worth $4 million annually through 2028-29. He appeared in 34 games last season, recording eight assists. Across 258 NHL regular-season contests, he has 10 goals, 43 assists and 53 points, plus three playoff games with New Jersey in 2025.
Kovacevic's return may matter most to Devils fans, teammates, and fantasy/season-ticket stakeholders, as a healthy blue line could stabilize defensive play and improve game entertainment. For players, recovery from knee surgery highlights injury risks and career uncertainty. Local businesses around home games could see modest spending effects if his presence helps team performance, though one defenseman's return is unlikely to create broad societal change.