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Devils trainer Rich Stinziano attends to winger Ryane Clowe on the bench on March 31.

(Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger)

NEWARK— Although Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello called Ryane Clowe "day-to-day" for the final two weeks of the season, the veteran winger confirmed he had another concussion and is worried about his long-term health beyond this season.

Clowe missed the final seven games of the season after he was hit by Florida's Quinton Howden on March 31 and banged his head on the boards while falling backwards. He was disoriented as he struggled to get off the ice and had to be helped onto the bench.

It was at least the third concussion of Clowe's NHL career, possibly the fourth, since he considers last season's head injuries with the Rangers one concussion.

"I don't know if scared (is the term). It's only human to worry a little bit," Clowe said Monday as Devils players cleaned out their lockers following the team photo at Prudential Center.

"It's probably something I never thought about before. I guess when it occurred a couple of times this year you have to worry about it a bit more. It's pretty easy to get down in the dumps going through this so you try to stay as positive as you can. Which is tough at times."

He admitted it was a concussion.

"I got hit in the head. Of course," he said.

Clowe said he hopes several months off will help him report to training camp without any major post-concussion concerns.

"I'm feeling okay. Now that the season is over there's no pressure on me, obviously, to play or to get back. Not like there was anyway, but it always helps to take that stress off yourself so you don't worry about it," Clowe said. "A few months off here and go from there."

Clowe was injured with 1:38 left in the second period of the Devils' 6-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on March 31.

"I got hit. I didn't really see the guy and I was off-balance after I made the pass," Clowe said. "I went back into the boards. It was unfortunate.

"It's been frustrating for sure. Just when you're starting to get your game back, probably to a place where it hasn't been in the last couple of years as far as how I felt I was playing, to get knocked out again is frustrating. Hopefully it's not long term. I just don't know. You just take it day by day and see where you go. You just hope to feel better soon."

Lamoriello pointed to the fact that Sidney Crosby and Marc Savard have come back from concussions as hope that Clowe will be okay. The Devils signed Clowe to a five-year, $24.25 million contract last summer.

"We'll see. He certainly could've come back skating and everything, but we held everything off," Lamoriello said. "You just have to make sure this is 100 percent right. He's not the first player to go through this. There are a couple of great players playing n this league, one in Boston and one in Pittsburgh, that have gone through the same situation.

"Then you've seen it where it didn't work. His health will be the most important thing. We've been assured by the doctors that he's fine. I don't have a crystal ball."

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Defensemen Jon Merrill and Adam Larsson, along with forwards Mike Sislo and Tim Sestito were assigned to Albany (AHL).

Sestito cleared waivers.