Johnathan Kovacevic - NHL News & Rumors

Kovacevic | PRE-RAW 1.17.26 | New Jersey Devils Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic talks to the media ahead of hosting Carolina

5 DAYS AGO • NHL.COM

Devils GM is 'working the phones daily' as Dougie Hamilton and Ondrej Palat trade rumors swirl

New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald says he's making calls every day to try to improve his team that has underachieved so far this season

JANUARY 14 • Associated Press

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

Impact 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.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Kovacevic | POST-RAW 1.11.26 | New Jersey Devils Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic speaks after a 4-3 loss in Winnipeg

JANUARY 11 • NHL.COM

Kovacevic, Dadonov Activated | TRANSACTIONS | New Jersey Devils The Devils have activated defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic and forward Evgenii Dadonov off the Injured Reserve list. Kovacevic has missed the...

JANUARY 11 • NHL.COM

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

Impact 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.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Kovacevic | PRACTICE RAW 1.10.26 | New Jersey Devils Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic speaks to the media about his return from injury

JANUARY 10 • NHL.COM

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

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact The Devils ruled Kovacevic out indefinitely Thursday, as the defenseman is still working 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.

OCTOBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

'He's A Guy We Are Talking About Daily': Keefe Gives Rave Review Of Gritty Forward Entering training camp, there weren't many spots available on the New Jersey Devils roster. When healthy, the group was expected to look som...

OCTOBER 4, 2025 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

New Jersey Devils get Jack Hughes back healthy and hope to make a deeper playoff run

The New Jersey Devils go into their second season with Sheldon Keefe looking to build on their return to the playoffs and make it past the first round

SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 • Associated Press

Devils GM Gives an Injury Update Training camp is underway for the New Jersey Devils, and general manager Tom Fitzgerald provided an update on defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic...

SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

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

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Johnathan Kovacevic Injury Leaves Opening on Devils' Blue Line Johnathan Kovacevic is one of the key names in the New Jersey Devils organization as the 2025-26 season approaches. On July 2, the team anno...

AUGUST 26, 2025 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

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

Impact 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.

JULY 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact Kovacevic's timeline hasn't officially ruled him out for Opening Night of the Devils' 2025-26 campaign, but this update certainly doesn't;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, considering he has yet to reach that mark in his career.

MAY 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Watch the Devils Exit Interviews | New Jersey Devils Hear from Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler, Johnathan Kovacevic, and others

MAY 1, 2025 • NHL.COM

Johnathan Kovacevic | EXIT INTERVIEWS | New Jersey Devils Kovacevic speaks to the media at the end of the 2024-25 Devils season.

MAY 1, 2025 • NHL.COM

Devils Defender Played Through Injury During Playoffs The New Jersey Devils dealt with serious injury trouble during the post-season. They notably lost key defensemen Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon...

MAY 1, 2025 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

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

Impact 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.

MAY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Andersen's status could put spotlight on Kochetkov for Hurricanes' clinching shot against Devils

The Carolina Hurricanes have some uncertainty in net as they try to clinch their first-round playoff series against the New Jersey Devils

APRIL 28, 2025 • Associated Press

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

Impact 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 pointless streak, his absence is unlikely to impact the majority of fantasy players. Still, with Luke Hughes (upper body) and Brenden Dillon (lower body) also sidelined, the Devils are fairly stretched on the blue line.

APRIL 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Svechnikov scores 3 goals as Hurricanes beat Devils 5-2 to take 3-1 series lead

Andrei Svechnikov scored three goals and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series

APRIL 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Devils without 3 injured defensemen for Game 4; Hurricanes goalie Andersen leaves with injury

The New Jersey Devils were without defensemen Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon and Johnathan Kovacevic against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series

APRIL 27, 2025 • Associated Press

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

Impact 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.

APRIL 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Devils GM is 'working the phones daily' as Dougie Hamilton and Ondrej Palat trade rumors swirl

New Jersey Devils get Jack Hughes back healthy and hope to make a deeper playoff run

Andersen's status could put spotlight on Kochetkov for Hurricanes' clinching shot against Devils

Svechnikov scores 3 goals as Hurricanes beat Devils 5-2 to take 3-1 series lead

Devils without 3 injured defensemen for Game 4; Hurricanes goalie Andersen leaves with injury