Devils’ Nolan Foote to Miss Extended Time With Injury

NEWARK, N.J. -- When the New Jersey Devils unveiled their 23-man opening-season roster, Nolan Foote was listed on the non-roster injured reserve list with an upper-body injury retroactive to Sept. 28, 2023.

On Oct. 12, Ben Birnell of the Daily Sentinel reported that Utica Comets head coach Kevin Dineen revealed that Foote and forward Brian Halonen will miss extended time this season.

"They're not expected to play in the immediate (future)," he said. "Right now, it is still a long ways out. We're hoping around Thanksgiving time, we'll have a clearer picture of where their health is."

Foote appeared in two preseason games for New Jersey and recorded three shots on goal. Entering training camp, he was expected to compete for one of the final spots on the team's opening night roster.

Last season, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald spoke highly of Foote, saying, "I think he's the example of proper player development."

Foote, who is listed as a left winger, played the center position at times last season. In 55 games, he earned 37 points, which was third-best behind Graeme Clarke and Reilly Walsh.

"That's incredible for a kid who has never really played center. He's got good size, and his skating has improved," Fitzgerald said. "He's a real good kid. But he was committed to it. That's all you ask. When I look at player development, I look at where he started, where he was, and where he's going. I give all credit to our (Utica) coaching staff. But, most importantly, Nolan should get a lot of credit as well. He accepted it. He's thriving. We have big plans for Nolan."

Those big plans will have to wait as Foote works his way back for what seems to be an extensive injury. Once assigned to the Comets in the American Hockey League, he will rejoin his brother, Cal Foote, who signed a one-year contract on Aug. 9, 2023.