New Jersey Devils place Timo Meier on injured reserve, call up Max Willman from AHL

It looks like one of the key offensive weapons for the New Jersey Devils is going to be out longer than expected.

On Saturday, the New Jersey Devils placed forward Timo Meier on injured reserve with a mid-body injury. His injury is retroactive to Dec. 30, when the 27-year-old had to leave the team’s game against the Boston Bruins in the second period, not returning in the third.

In response, the Devils called up forward Max Willman from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets.

Meier’s status is contrary to what head coach Lindy Ruff had told the media, as the veteran bench boss said “hopefully it shouldn’t be too long,” before the Swiss-born winger would come back to the lineup.

The earliest Meier could return would be Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks, but there is no timetable for his return.

In 28 games this season, the former San Jose Shark has scored nine goals and six assists. In 500 career NHL games, Meier has totaled 172 goals and 173 assists.

This is not the first time this season Meier has been out for an extended period this season. During a poor stretch in November where the Devils lost four of seven games, Meier was out for six games with an undisclosed injury.

Meier is in the first year of an eight-year contract, with an AAV of $8.8 million, that he signed with the Devils last June, after being acquired last season to bolster the team’s scoring attack.

This is Willman’s second stint with the big club. He made his debut with New Jersey on Nov. 5, while Meier was out, scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks. Willman spent parts of the last two seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, scoring four goals and two assists in 50 games.

With the Comets this season, the 28-year-old has posted 16 points in 20 games.

After Saturday, the Devils (21-14-2) are about to go on a trip through for Florida, finishing up a three-game road swing on Monday, Jan. 15, against the Boston Bruins.

New Jersey is currently holding the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning. They are fifth in the Metropolitan Division, two points back of the New York Islanders for third.