Devils' Dougie Hamilton: Not close to return

Coach Lindy Ruff said Friday that Hamilton (pectoral) "is a long ways away," Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

Hamilton had surgery Dec. 1 for a torn pectoral muscle and will likely be sidelined for another three to four months. The defenseman had five goals and 16 points in 20 games before his injury, including four goals and eight points on the power play. Hamilton is iffy at best to return before the end of the regular season, but he could be back for some playoff action depending on how deep a run the Devils are able to make.