Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils cannot seem to catch a break.
Amid a tremendous 12-4-1 start to the 2025-26 season, news has come out that the superstar center is back on the shelf with an injury, though this one had nothing to do with a play on the ice.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman broke the news on Friday that Hughes cut his hand at a team dinner on Thursday night, which will sideline him for an unknown period of time.
“Word came Friday that Jack Hughes suffered a hand injury while at a team dinner Thursday night,” Friedman wrote. “Exact details are unknown at this time, but it’s believed he slipped and cut his hand, in what multiple sources are calling a ‘fluke accident.’ He is not expected to play Saturday against Washington, but the exact timeline is not yet known.”
The 24-year-old Hughes has been a catalyst for the Devils’ success this season, having racked up 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) through the first 17 games.
Jack Hughes’ injury issues
It won’t be the first time that the Devils have to find a way to tread water without the face of their franchise.
Hughes’ last two seasons were both cut short because of shoulder injuries that required surgery, limiting him to just 62 games played each year.
This is, of course, a completely different situation and a fluke, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating for him and the organization who have its sights set on competing for a Stanley Cup.
Friedman mentioned in his piece that both the Devils and Team USA are hoping this is nothing too serious, which reminds us of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy, where Hughes is expected to play a big role.
That begins in just under three months, on Feb. 11, so Hughes should be ready in plenty of time to represent his country, assuming the injury is more of a short-term issue.
New Jersey will now be forced to rely even more on captain Nico Hischier moving forward to shoulder the load without Hughes, beginning on Saturday night in Washington against the Capitals.
