Breaking: Devils Get Devastating News on Jack Hughes

Wednesday, March 05, 2025

It's the worst-case scenario for Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils. The superstar forward is finished for the season after undergoing his second shoulder surgery today in just under a year. 

Hughes was injured crashing into the end boards in a game over the weekend, and the worst was feared after his season ended the same way last year. This time, it was the other shoulder. He has been placed on LTIR and will not return until training camp in the fall.

The big question is what does this mean for the Devils' plans for the trade deadline this week? Accroding to several reports, the team will remain buyers and continue to try to fortify their lineup. With Hughes on LTIR, they will have his $8 million now to add to their cap space to make a big move. 

The Devils are 33-26-6 and are currently in third place in the Metropolitan Division, six points up on the New York Rangers, who have two games in hand. The Detroit Red Wings, who would be next in line for the second Wild Card spot, are also six points back of New Jersey with a couple of games in hand, while the Ottawa Senators are seven points behind the Devils with three games in hand.

It also seems like the Devils will be without defenseman Dougie Hamilton "week to week" after yet another crucial injury to the team last night. 

It's another terrible break for Hughes, who, for the third time in the past four seasons, will miss 20 or more games. 

The 2019 first-overall pick led the Devils in scoring with 27 goals and 70 points in 62 games. In his one fully healthy season, 2022-23, he recorded 43 goals and 99 points in 78 games. 

Yesterday, we outlined three top center candidates New Jersey can target on the trade market to help try to fill the void up front.

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