Zajac's point drought reached eight games after he was held off the scoresheet in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

Zajac finished with an even rating in this game, but he still sports an ugly minus-6 mark over the eight-game scoreless stretch. The 32-year-old pivot's fantasy value is practically nonexistent at this point, as he has just seven points and 37 shots in 32 games.

Zajac scored twice -- including a highlight-reel shorthanded tally -- in Sunday's shootout loss to the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Zajac has been held to just seven points in 24 games this season, but he showed off some blazing speed and nifty hands for a great shorthanded goal Sunday. The 32-year-old is currently skating in a top-six role and is heating up with five points in his last four games. Zajac is known for being streaky however, so even with this impressive stretch, the veteran is only of value in some very deep leagues.

Zajac (undisclosed) was a full participant in Saturday's practice and "appears good to go" ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Islanders, Devils beat reporter Amanda Stein reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zajac will skate in his usual role on the Devils' second line and first power-play unit Sunday. However, the veteran pivot has only notched three goals and five points in 23 games this campaign, so he's not a viable option in the vast majority of season-long fantasy formats.

Zajac exited Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Stars in the third period after being hit in the head by a slap shot from teammate Kyle Palmieri, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Devils beat reporter Amanda Stein, no update on Zajac's status was made available following Thursday's contest, so the specific nature and severity of his injury remain unclear. The veteran forward pivot has struggled this season, notching just one goal and four points in 22 games, but he's held onto a spot in New Jersey's top six and first power-play unit. The Devils should release an update on his condition ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Islanders.

Zajac played well in his 800th career contest Saturday, tacking on a goal and an assist in a 5-2 road loss to the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

It wasn't a desirable outcome for Zajac on the milestone night, but he played inspired hockey for his fantasy owners, and even finished plus-1 over 18:56 of ice time. The veteran really needed a performance like this after dropping box-score goose eggs in the previous seven contests.

Zajac opened the scoring for the Devils in their 5-1 home win over the Kings on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Playing in his 12th year for the Devils, Zajac went scoreless in nine straight games after returning from a pectoral injury, but he's starting to heat up with two goals in the last four. We figure that the Canadian pivot will gradually see increased ice time as the season wears on; currently, he's averaging 16:33 with 1:08 on the power play and 1:45 shorthanded. Especially since he shows up in both special teams situations, fantasy owners should consider buying low on Zajac in fantasy games.

Zajac (pectoral) will be on the ice for his season debut against the Maple Leafs on Thursday evening.

EDGE Analysis

We're projecting Zajac to immediately slide in on the second line with rookie Jesper Bratt and fellow veteran Drew Stafford. The Devils managed to tie the Golden Knights and Islanders for a fourth-place ranking in scoring (3.5 goals per game) without Zajac, but adding the 32-year-old to the mix should only heighten the appeal of rostering a New Jersey player in fantasy land. He posted 42 and 45 points, respectively, the past two years.

Zajac (pectoral) has been given a clean bill of health, but he won't play Saturday against Florida or Sunday against the Blackhawks.

EDGE Analysis

Zajac has been cleared to play, but coach John Hynes evidently wants him to log several full practices before returning to game action. Hynes told reporters he anticipates that Zajac should return to the lineup "early next week," which suggests he'll likely make his season debut Thursday against Toronto. The 31-year-old forward, who notched 45 points in 80 games last campaign, has missed the first 15 games of the season due to a pectoral injury.

Zajac (pectoral) has received medical clearance to resume practice, Deb Placey of MSG Networks reports.

EDGE Analysis

It sounds like Zajac is progressing well, but he still has a ways to go in his rehab, including the need to prove that he can withstand contact in such practices. The veteran leads by example and he'll certainly be welcomed with open arms upon his projected return in mid-December, but it's worth noting that the Devils have managed to stay atop the Metropolitan Division standings with 20 points in 15 games. This is in spite of Zajac having yet to make his season debut.

Zajac (pectoral) joined his teammates on the ice Friday, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to coach John Hynes, Zajac hitting the ice was "more mental" rather than a "huge step in recovery process." The news seems to indicate the initial time line of a mid-December return seems to still be accurate. With the veteran in the lineup, Nico Hischier has been pressed into action on the top line, a role he will likely continue to fill for the foreseeable future.