Jack Hughes injury update: New Jersey Devils Star to be evaluated after lower-body injury before Olympic break

New Jersey Devils star forward Jack Hughes is currently being evaluated by team medical staff after suffering a lower-body injury during Thursday’s 3-2 overtime victory over the Nashville Predators. The injury has left his status for the immediate future in question, although initial reports are that the injury is not as bad as it could have been.
Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed on Friday that Hughes will undergo imaging to determine the severity of the injury, and travel plans and future games will be determined by the results of said imaging.

Jack Hughes's injury causes concern for New Jersey Devils and Team USA

Jack Hughes left Thursday’s game early in the first period after only completing three shifts and 2:27 minutes of ice time. The 24-year-old left the Devils’ bench at the 8:27 mark of the first period after a brief shift and did not return to the game. Even with his limited ice time, his departure was immediate in reshaping the Devils’ lineup, leaving them with only two natural centers for the remainder of the game.
The Devils enter the weekend sitting nine points behind the Boston Bruins for the second and final Eastern Conference wild card spot. "In the next little bit, he’s going to get some imaging and get a better idea of what’s happening,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said Friday. “Until we have those results, we won’t know his status in terms of travel and the situation going forward.” Although the deficit is significant, Keefe’s message was that the most important thing is to continue playing with a strong structure and work rate as long as the playoffs are mathematically possible.
It is also important to consider Hughes’ injury history. Hughes has missed 18 games this season due to a hand injury, during which time the Devils were 8-10-0. Since his return, Hughes has recorded 36 points in 36 games, including five points in his last four games. However, his inability to remain healthy has been an issue throughout his young career, with several stints on the sidelines due to shoulder injuries in the past couple of years.
Although the Devils are waiting for imaging results, it is clear that the focus is on getting Hughes healthy for the long term rather than getting him back on the ice as soon as possible. With the playoffs still a possibility and the Olympics on the horizon, the next few days will be crucial in determining what happens next for the Devils and one of the brightest young stars in the NHL.


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