The New Jersey Devils are facing a setback as their young star player, Jack Hughes, is set to be sidelined for several weeks due to an injury sustained in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks last Friday. Head coach Lindy Ruff provided an update, mentioning that while Hughes won’t be out for months, the team is aware he will need some time to recover. The 22-year-old forward will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis to gauge his progress.
This injury comes as a blow to the Devils, especially considering the already extensive list of key players on the injured list, including Tomas Nosek, Timo Meier, Dougie Hamilton, and Jonas Siegenthaler. Hughes, a former first-overall pick, had been on a hot streak with a five-game point streak, contributing a goal and six assists before the injury. Despite missing some games earlier in the season, he has amassed 15 goals and 30 assists in 32 games, approaching the impressive pace he set in the 2022-23 campaign.
Jack Hughes will be out for weeks, not months, per head coach Lindy Ruff.
He left the game on January 5 vs the Hawks with an upper body injury.
(h/t @amandacstein) pic.twitter.com/LWQoy74njO
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 9, 2024
The Devils, currently sitting in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division, are gearing up for crucial matchups, including a trip through Florida and a faceoff against the Atlantic Division-leading Boston Bruins. As they navigate through injuries and strive to secure a playoff spot, the team is hoping for a swift recovery for Hughes, who will be sorely missed during this challenging stretch.
