One of the biggest defensive pieces on the open market is gone early on Monday as New Jersey has signed nine-year veteran Brett Pesce to a six-year deal worth $33.0 million ($5.5M AAV). The 29-year-old has spent his entire career with Carolina and had three goals, 13 points and a +10 plus/minus in 70 games played last year.
Pesce was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and Thursday's morning skate but skated as an "extra," and is not yet ready for game action as he will sit out Game 6 on Thursday. The 29-year-old has only been able to compete in two playoff games so far this year and has an assist, one SOG, two PIMs and a +1 plus/minus.
Pesce was a full participant in Wednesday's practice but skated as an "extra," which suggests that he won't be available for Game 6 on Thursday. Monitor his status during Thursday's morning skate to get a concrete answer on his availability.
Pesce has been out since Game 2 due to a lower-body injury and will miss at least the first two games of Carolina's Round 2 series vs. New York. The 29-year-old picked up an assist, one SOG, two PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through his two games played prior to his injury.
Pesce recently removed his walking boot but his status for Round 2 is still uncertain. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said the team remains hopeful that he'll play at some point vs. the Rangers. Look for Tony DeAngelo to remain his replacement in Game 1.
Brett Pesce (lower-body injury) is out of a walking boot. If everything goes as expected, he should play games in Round 2. He may not be ready for Game 1, but the team is hoping to have him available at some point during the series. In his two playoff games before his injury, he had an assist, one SOG and two PIMs while averaging 14:18 TOI/GP.
Pesce was limited to only 8:47 time-on-ice in the Hurricanes' 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders in game two due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Pesce's presence will be sorely missed on the Hurricanes blueline as he is expected to miss at least the remainder of the first round. In 70 games this season, Pesce had 13 points (3G / 10A) and 113 blocks while averaging 20:17 time-on-ice.
Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said that Pesce's injury is "not looking good" and that he would be re-evaluated on Tuesday. It sounds like Pesce is going to miss some time, which would be a huge blow to the Hurricanes' blueline. Luckily, they have great depth at the position and can turn to either veteran Tony DeAngelo or rookie Scott Morrow in Game 3 if Pesce is unavailable.
The Hurricanes play their final game of the season on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and have opted to rest a variety of their lineup regulars. Pesce ends the 2023-24 campaign with 13 points (3G / 10A), 108 shots, and 113 blocks in 70 games.
Pesce was one of four late scratches for Friday's game, with Jalen Chatfield, Jordan Staal, and Teuvo Teravainen also missing out. Tony DeAngelo, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Brendan Lemieux, and Scott Morrow will all draw into the Hurricanes' lineup.
Pesce has missed the last two games due to an illness, and his status remains in the air for Tuesday's matchup against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Pesce isn't flashy on the blueline but provides a steadying defensive presence for the Hurricanes. Through 41 games this season, he was seven points (3G / 4A), 61 shots, and 71 blocks.
Pesce has missed the last two games due to an illness, and his status remains in the air for Tuesday's matchup against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Pesce isn't flashy on the blueline but provides a steadying defensive presence for the Hurricanes. Through 41 games this season, he was seven points (3G / 4A), 61 shots, and 71 blocks.
Pesce was a late scratch for Thursday's game against Colorado, with the Hurricanes not announcing his absence until the start of warmups. Tony DeAngelo will likely draw into the lineup in his place.
Pesce did not practice on Monday and will be a game-time decision Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Pesce has only two points (1G / 1A) in 19 games this season but has been a steadying presence on the blueline for the Hurricanes, averaging 20:15 time-on-ice and blocking 38 shots.
Pesce has missed the Hurricanes' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury and was a game-time decision Friday as the team heads to Florida. The 28-year-old will make a welcome return to the lineup as he's averaged at least 21:42 TOI in each of the last four seasons and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through five games prior to the injury.
Pesce has missed the Hurricanes' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision Friday as the team heads to Florida. The 28-year-old will make a welcome return to the lineup as he's averaged at least 21:42 TOI in each of the last four seasons and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through five games prior to the injury.
Pesce, who has missed the Hurricanes' last seven games with a lower-body injury, participated at practice on Monday in a non-contact jersey. His presence at practice is an encouraging sign for the Hurricanes, though his actual return to the lineup will be dependent on when he is cleared for contact. Pesce has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.
Pesce has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury and will now likely miss anywhere from 2-4 weeks after he underwent surgery Tuesday. His presence will be missed by a Hurricanes team that has struggled defensively to start the season, allowing an average of 4.71 goals per game. Pesce, whose minutes have been replaced primarily by Jalen Chatfield, has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.