Devils’ Nolan Foote: ‘I Want to Stick Around Here and Be With This Organization’

Nolan Foote has faced his fair share of challenges since being acquired by the New Jersey Devil s in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 16, 2020.

He only appeared in four games this season after making his debut on Apr. 9. Fans knew he was injured during the preseason but did not get answers as to what kept the 23-year-old out of the lineup for most of 2023-24.

Foote finally revealed his injury when he spoke to a small media scrum on Apr. 17.

"It has kind of been lingering for four years; it happened a while ago. A low back injury disc issue," he said. "It sucks that it has been going on for that long, and I might have it for a long time. It might linger, but I feel good right now, so just continue to maintain that."

The Denver, Colorado native said he will adjust his offseason training, incorporating the rehab he completed in New Jersey through the team's medical staff.

Related: Devils Players Open Up About Injured Life

With so many injuries to the Devils roster this season, Foote was able to build a camaraderie with his injured teammates and spent a lot of time with Dougie Hamilton and Nathan Bastian , who were doing their own rehabbing.

"I was with (Hamilton) most of the year. I look up to him, for sure."

After appearing in 23 career NHL games for New Jersey, he will become a restricted free agent this summer.

"I definitely want to stick around here and be with this organization."

He will likely return, as general manager Tom Fitzgerald confirmed during his own end-of-season media availability that he plans to tender qualifying offers to all of his restricted free agents at this time.

As for the summer, Foote said he will continue to work off the ice in addition to his skating since he missed so many games.

Fitzgerald once called Foote an example of proper player development and previously praised the youngster for his commitment to reinventing his game to work towards becoming a bottom-six full-time NHLer.

"We have big plans for Nolan," the general manager said.

With a long summer ahead, the stage is set that if his rehabbing and recovery continue as planned, he could be one of the more intriguing players at the team's training camp in September.

Related: Devils' Foote Could Follow in Bastian's Footsteps As He Learns to Reinvent His Game