New Jersey Devils Place Connor Brown on IR, Recall Stefan Noesen

The New Jersey Devils announced roster moves on Monday, placing forward Connor Brown on injured reserve and recalling forward Stefan Noesen from the AHL’s Utica Comets affiliate.

Brown’s injured‑reserve placement is retroactive to Sept. 28, effectively sidelining him from the season’s start. Noesen returns to the NHL just three days after clearing waivers and being assigned to Utica, giving the Devils an additional forward depth option for the early stretch of the 2026‑27 campaign.

Brown Placed on Injured Reserve

Brown suffered a lower‑body injury late in a Devils practice on Sept. 28, prompting the IR designation.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe addressed the injury in subsequent days, noting that Brown did not feel right and would need additional time before rejoining the lineup. Keefe indicated at the time that the injury was not expected to be significant, though a precise timeline remained uncertain.

He missed the first two games of the regular season, leaving a void in a New Jersey lineup still building forward depth and consistency. Brown posted 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) in his debut season with the Devils, and his experience and versatility will be missed as the club navigates the early stages of the campaign.

The Devils must adjust their forward combinations in his absence. Placing Brown on injured reserve also grants the team roster flexibility by allowing another forward—Noesen—to be recalled to the NHL level.

Noesen Returns After Clearing Waivers

Noesen’s turnaround was swift; the veteran winger was assigned to the AHL’s Utica Comets on Oct. 9 after clearing waivers as part of roster adjustments following the season’s opening games. Remaining unclaimed, he was sent down. Noesen had appeared in New Jersey’s first two contests before the waiver move, accumulating 14:48 of ice time.

Noesen’s recent 2025‑26 season was plagued by injuries, including a groin problem early in the campaign and a knee injury that required surgery. He recorded only seven points in 38 games, a steep decline from his career‑best season prior to that, when he posted 41 points—22 goals and 19 assists.

When healthy, Noesen’s previous offensive output underscores his value. His ability to generate scoring chances around the net and provide physical presence on the forward lines should prove useful as the Devils navigate early‑season roster challenges.

Waiver clearance kept Noesen within the Devils’ organization, and his recall suggests he may not remain long in Utica—at least initially. His exact role in the lineup is yet to be determined, but he will add another seasoned forward option to the group.

Up Next for the Devils

The Devils have not disclosed a timeline for Brown’s return, nor outlined how Noesen will be integrated into the lineup following his recall. Both developments will be worth monitoring as New Jersey proceeds with its 2026‑27 season.

New Jersey will wrap up a three‑game homestand against the Ottawa Senators on Monday night, with a 7:00 PM ET puck drop. The Devils will then hit the road for a Tuesday, Oct. 13, contest at Detroit before returning home to host the New York Rangers on Thursday.

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