Overview
- The team said Hughes will miss the rest of the season to have a procedure and begin rehab early with the goal of being ready for Opening Night next season.
- A source said the procedure addresses the shoulder he dislocated on January 19 against the Flames after contact with Justin Kirkland.
- He briefly returned on February 28 after 10 games out, then the team ended his season after it was knocked out of playoff contention this week.
- In his third NHL season, the 22-year-old posted 35 points in 68 games and averaged 23 minutes of ice time per game.
- Dennis Cholowski will take his spot on defense, and Simon Nemec is set to run the top power play, with no additional recalls expected.