Although Travis Zajac returned to the Devils lineup on December 16th, he isn't expected to fully recover from his torn Achilles tendon this season. "They said it was something they felt throughout the year and it usually takes a year to heal (completely)," Zajac said. "But, for the most part I feel good. Some days are better than others. If I continue to get the right rest and exercise and things like that, I'll be fine." Zajac still walks with a slight limp, but he doesn't have a problem when he's on the ice because of the support his skate provides. Zajac took Thursday's practice off and he's expected to continue to take off the occasion morning skate.

Travis Zajac continued to skate on the Devils' third line during Friday's practice. Zajac got some playing time with Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk on Monday, but his stint on the first line has proven to be short lived. Adam Henrique was superb in Zajac's absence and he's been just as good since Zajac's return, which has made it easy for the Devils to ease him into their lineup. That being said, while Zajac is a top-six quality forward, it's hard to see how he fits into one of the Devils' top two lines, unless they shift Patrik Elias back to the left wing.

Travis Zajac played the last period and a half on the first line between Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk during Monday's loss in Carolina. However, the move was a spur of the moment alteration as Adam Henrique returned to the top unit at practice on Tuesday. Zajac wasn't surprised with being bumped back down to the third line because the trio didn't generate anything and he has performed well between Mattias Tedenby and David Clarkson since coming back from a torn Achilles tendon. He is still working his way back from that injury, but it shouldn't be too long before he is back in the Devils' top-six group.

Travis Zajac registered his first assist in his fourth game of the season. Zajac missed the first two and a half months of the season due to a torn Achilles tendon. Zajac now has a goal and an assist in 2011-12, although he also has a minus-three rating. Zajac logged 17:04 minutes on Friday, which might end up being just a bit less than he gets in a typical game this season.

Travis Zajac, who recently returned from a torn Achilles tendon, logged 19:35 minutes on Tuesday. Zajac was filling in for Patrik Elias, who had the flu. Zajac has been primarily playing on the third line since his return and he admitted to being tired after the contest. "I think it was more me not being used to playing that much in the third," Zajac said. "I felt a little tired, but that's what happens when you miss camp and the preseason. That was the only thing. By the end of the game, I was pretty tired." With Elias expected to play on Friday, Zajac should be back on the third line.

Travis Zajac netted his first goal of the season, but the Devils dropped a 4-1 decision to the Rangers Tuesday night. The game was only his third contest of the year as he recently returned from an Achilles tendon injury. He's worth picking up in deeper leagues.

Travis Zajac (Achilles tendon) made his season debut on Friday. "Physically, I felt great," Zajac said. "I was a little tentative in the first period. That's just due to coming back from an injury, human nature to feel that way. But, as I got a little bit of touch down and engaged in some battles, I felt more and more confident and the leg was the least of me worries." Zajac was limited to third line duties in an effort to ease him into the lineup. Devils coach Pete DeBoer thought Zajac was good, but he hasn't decided where he'll fit into the lineup. Zajac was penciled in to serve on the Devils' top line, but Adam Henrique has done everything in his power to steal that job in his absence. It's worth keeping a close eye on this situation.

Travis Zajac (torn Achilles tendon) has been activated off of the injured reserve list. Everything is in place for Zajac to make his season debut on Friday. After missing the first 30 games of the season, coach Pete DeBoer is expecting Zajac to need a bit of time to shake off the rust. With that in mind, Zajac will center the third line on Friday in an effort to ease him back into the lineup.

Travis Zajac, who has been out with a torn Achilles tendon, will make his season debut on Friday when the Devils host Dallas. "I'm definitely excited, a little anxious, a little nervous, but I think it's in a good way," said Zajac, who had surgery on Aug. 18 to repair the damage. "It's been a while since I've been around the guys in the locker room. It's been a while since I took a pre-game nap too. So, it's definitely exciting." Coach Pete DeBoer is expecting Zajac to be little rusty with his timing and given his long layoff that is probably a correct assessment. He practiced on the third line with Eric Boulton and Mattias Tedenby on Thursday, but should find his way back into the top-six group once he's closer to game shape.

Travis Zajac (Achilles tendon) might make his season debut as early as Friday's game against Dallas. "That will be the earliest," said Zajac after Sunday's practice. "We'll see how this week goes and then we'll talk it over with (GM) Lou (Lamoriello) and the coaches. I'll concentrate on getting in a couple more good practices and we'll see. I feel good, though." He isn't expected to play during New Jersey's two-game road trip in Florida that will see the Devils play the Lightning on Monday and the Panthers on Tuesday.