We don’t quite know yet who New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes will play for Team USA. What we do know is he’s already been demoted from last season’s deployment at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
At Team USA’s first practice on Sunday morning, Hughes didn’t skate alongside his 4 Nations Face-Off linemates in the top-six. Instead, Matt Boldy occupied Auston Matthew’s right wing, while Jake Guentzel occupied the left wing.
According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, the rest of USA’s bottom-six was scrambled. Thus, we don’t have an idea what Hughes’ deployment could be at this time.
This isn’t an injury-related thing, either. Hughes missed the Devils’ last three games before the 2026 Winter Olympic break, a stretch of games in which New Jersey went 0-3-0 leaving six crucial points on the table.
Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed Hughes is “full-go” and is no longer nursing an injury.
There are a few factors here that potentially led to Hughes’ demotion. First being the off-ice freak accident that required Hughes to undergo surgery on his pinky to repair tendons in his hand in November. Since he returned from that injury in Devember, Hughes hasn’t been the same player has was pre-injury.
Second, Hughes’ performance at last years 4 Nations Face-Off didn’t turn much attention. In four games, he tallied just one assist and was largely a non-factor in the tournament.
In 35 games with the Devils this season, Hughes has accrued 12 gols and 36 points in 36 games.
This is the Devils forwards first crack at the Olympics in his near seven years in the NHL. He’s otherwise been successful on the national level as a point per-game player or better during World Junior tournaments.
Hughes’ deployment at his first Olympic tournament remains to be seen. Yet, for now at least, he’s already been demoted in a lineup among fellow American-born NHL stars.
