Kovacevic notched an assist and blocked two shots in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Kovacevic missed the first three months of the season while recovering from knee surgery. He logged 18:14 of ice time in his season debut, playing on the second pairing. He'll be more of a shutdown defenseman than a scorer -- he had a career-high 17 points in 81 regular-season outings last season while adding 102 hits and 99 blocked shots. The bigger change with Kovacevic's return is the potential exit of Dougie Hamilton, who was a healthy scratch Sunday. The Devils are deep on the blue line and can afford to make a move, but it'll likely be Simon Nemec who benefits the most if Hamilton is ultimately traded, while Kovacevic may still pick up some extra defensive minutes.

Kovacevic (knee) was activated from long-term injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL media site.

EDGE Analysis

Following a 44-game absence due to offseason knee surgery, Kovacevic is poised to make his 2025-26 debut against Winnipeg on Sunday. He registered one goal, 17 points, 76 shots on net, 99 blocked shots and 102 hits across 81 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season. Kovacevic's return to action will make Dougie Hamilton a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Kovacevic (knee) has been moved to long-term injured reserve, PuckPedia reports Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Kovacevic isn't expected to join the lineup anytime soon, as the Devils ruled him out indefinitely at the start of training camp. It's unclear how he's progressing in his recovery, but it appears as if he'll miss a significant portion of the 2025-26 campaign. Seamus Casey (lower body) is on the shelf as well, so Dennis Cholowski is the club's lone extra blueliner at this time.

Kovacevic (knee) was put on non-roster injured reserve Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The Devils ruled Kovacevic out indefinitely as of Sept. 18 while he works his way back from offseason knee injury. The 2017 third-round pick accounted for one goal, 16 assists, 102 hits and a plus-10 rating over a career-high 81 regular-season contests in 2024-25. Simon Nemec is expected to receive an uptick in playing time while Kovacevic is on the shelf.

Kovacevic (knee) was deemed out indefinitely by the team Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Kovacevic was not expected to be back in time for Opening Night after undergoing offseason knee surgery. Still, it seems like the 28-year-old blueliner will be out even longer based on this update. With Kovacevic out of action, Simon Nemec could get more opportunities to feature in the early months of the season.

Kovacevic (knee) won't be available for Opening Night, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Although it's now known that Kovacevic will miss at least some of the 2025-26 regular season while he recovers from the knee surgery he underwent May 8, there isn't a more specific timetable for his return. The 28-year-old had a goal, 17 points, 72 PIM, 76 shots, 102 hits and 99 blocks across 81 regular-season outings with New Jersey in 2024-25. Kovacevic's absence increases the chances that Simon Nemec will feature on the Devils' Opening Night roster.

Kovacevic underwent knee surgery Thursday and won't be ready for the start of training camp, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kovacevic's timeline hasn't officially ruled him out for Opening Night of the Devils' 2025-26 campaign, but this update certainly doesn't bode well for the blueliner. The Ontario native is coming off a career year in which he set new personal bests in games played (81), assists (16) and points (17). Even if Kovacevic is ready for the start of the season, he may be hard-pressed to push for the 20-point threshold, especially considering he has yet to reach that mark in his career.

Kovacevic is dealing with a knee injury that will probably require surgery, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Kovacevic missed the Devils' last two games due to his knee injury and could be in danger of being sidelined for the start of training camp in the fall. Fortunately for the 27-year-old defenseman, he signed a new five-year deal with the Devils in March, otherwise, he'd be heading into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent with a questionable knee.

Kovacevic (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup for Tuesday's Game 5 versus Carolina, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kovacevic suffered his undisclosed injury in Game 3 on Friday and will now be shelved for his second straight contest. Considering the 27-year-old defenseman is stuck in a 14-game point drought, his absence is unlikely to impact the majority of fantasy managers. Still, with Luke Hughes (upper body) and Brenden Dillon (lower body) also sidelined, the Devils have had to dig into their depth on the blue line.

Kovacevic (undisclosed) will not play Sunday in Game 4 against Carolina.

EDGE Analysis

Kovacevic will miss Sunday's contest after suffering an injury early in Friday's Game 3. With Kovacevic, Luke Hughes (upper body) and Brenden Dillon (lower body) all sidelined, Dennis Cholowski is expected to slot back into New Jersey's lineup on the third pairing.