Overview
- New Jersey announced Hughes sustained a non-hockey hand injury and is undergoing evaluation following an off-ice incident at a team dinner.
- Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports Hughes is not expected to play Saturday against the Capitals, and no return timetable has been set.
- Multiple outlets describe the incident as a fluke slip that resulted in a cut to his hand, with specific details still unconfirmed.
- With Hughes sidelined, Nico Hischier is set to shoulder more responsibility at center, Juho Lammikko is likely to draw in, and Dawson Mercer could be used down the middle.
- Hughes leads the Devils with 10 goals and 20 points in 17 games for a 12-4-1 club that has also lost Cody Glass, Zack MacEwen, Connor Brown, Evgenii Dadonov, Brett Pesce, Dougie Hamilton, and Johnathan Kovacevic to injuries.