Stefan Matteau is still with the New Jersey Devils. He may even be with them the rest of the week.
But, then, you might not see him the rest of the season.
Matteau was one of dozens of NHL teenagers caught up in a quirky rule that allowed teams to play their junior-age players for five games before making a decision to return them to their junior club or keep them on the roster and have this season count as the first one of their three-year, entry-level deal.
Some players, like Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton, were returned to their junior team after playing five games.
Others, like Matteau, still have undecided fates. Just because Matteau, New Jersey’s No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft, has yet been sent back, doesn’t mean he will necessarily play for the Devils the rest of the way. New Jersey will play the Islanders on Thursday night and Matteau could be there -- only watching from the press box in a suit and not in uniform.
"He has played extremely well in the time he has been given," Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "He’s an 18-year-old and there are a lot of things to consider before we make a decision."
Lamoriello insisted Matteau’s contract would not be an issue. Matteau can remain on the roster, he just can’t play, or else the contract kicks in now that he’s completed five games, the last of which was a 2-1 loss in Boston Tuesday. He played
Here’s why that’s important: Should Matteau, or any player with a similar status, play a sixth game, the contract counts against the salary cap and he moves a year closer toward free agency. And while Matteau is a talented player, he’s not quite a phenom yet, and could benefit from more seasoning in juniors.
Then again, the Devils thought enough of Matteau to put him on the top line with Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk against Montreal on Sunday night.
It’s the kind of jam teams around the league were faced with this week as the five-game window expired.
Matteau played against Montreal rookie Alex Galchenyuk in Sunday’s game. Galchenyuk, with five points in five games, was in the same spot as Matteau. The Canadiens decided this week to keep Galchenyuk, though, the third overall pick in the draft. Florida center Jonathan Huberdeau also is staying with the big club.
The Flyers sent Laughton, their 18-year-old first-round pick, back to his Oshawa junior team in the Ontario Hockey League. Laughton likely won’t play again for the Flyers this season, even if they make a playoff run, because there’s no sense wasting a year of his contract. He was scoreless in five games with Flyers.
Among the players who stayed in the NHL are Buffalo Sabres center Mikhail Grigorenko, Boston Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton, and Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupov.
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