Devils Brace for Two Months Without Jack Hughes, Eye Trade Help at Center

Overview

• Hughes underwent surgery for a non‑hockey‑related finger injury and is expected to be re‑evaluated in six weeks with a rough two‑month absence projected.
• New Jersey stayed atop the East after a shootout win over Washington in its first game without Hughes, decided by Simon Nemec.
• Insider David Pagnotta says the Devils are expected to pursue a significant trade, with center depth identified as the top need and a defensive defenseman also on the list.
• Potential targets mentioned in reporting include centers Nazem Kadri and Ryan O’Reilly, though any move would need to navigate cost and cap constraints.
• Contracts with trade lists for Dougie Hamilton and Ondrej Palat factor into cap math, while the team anticipates injury reinforcements with Hamilton, Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov candidates to return this week.