Gritsyuk's Season-Ending Surgery: Devils' Offense Takes Hit

0:00It's April 2nd. This is NHL News Today, powered by AI Everything Happening With Your Team. I'm Cory with the Story. New Jersey Devil's Head Coach Sheldon Keefe drops some tough news this week. Rookie Ford Arseney Gritziuk is spacing season ending surgery for an undisclosed upper body injury. That means the 22-year-old won't suit up again this regular season. Gritziuk last hit the ice on March 24th against the Dallas Stars, leaving in the third period a never-returning. He signed a one-year entry-level deal in the 2025 offseason and lit it up in his rookie year with 66 games, notching 31. Points on 13 goals and 18 assists. He bounced around the lineup. Top 6 to bottom 6, even clicking on the third line with Cody Glass and Lenny Hamanaho. Gritziuk shared his heartbreak on Telegram, calling it a premature end to his first NHL run, but necessary for surgery and recovery. Coach Keefe said the kid wanted to push back, but Docs advised fixing it now to be ready

1:02for next season's opener. This hits the Devil's offense hard, especially after his strong output, and it's a setback for Gritziuk heading into restricted free agency this. Summer. Expect New Jersey to lock him down long term so he can chase a full healthy campaign. Meanwhile, the Devil's host the Washington Capitals tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern Time looking to keep their momentum rolling without him.