The update on New Jersey Devils Jack Hughes‘ injury is that there is no update. Well, kind of.
It’s not as bleak as it seems. After leaving the first period of the Devils’ 3-2 overtime victory over the Nashville Predators last night, the franchise forward never returned.
After the game, head coach Sheldon Keefe explained it was a lower body injury. He “just tweaked something,” the Devils coach said.
Keefe expanded and said he would need further imaging to reveal a true diagnosis.
Well, after Friday’s optional morning skate, Hughes hadn’t had that imaging yet. Keefe said his travel status when the Devils head North to play the Ottawa Senators on Saturday is undetermined.
Keefe then further explained to the Devils media, “The only update is that he’s still getting evaluated. In the next little while, he’s going to get some imaging and get a better idea of what’s happening. Until we have those results, we won’t know his status in terms of travel and the situation going forward.”
The good news is that Cody Glass will travel. He missed Thursday’s game against Nashville after blocking a shot on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets.
It gives the Devils the opportunity to slot him back in between Arseny Gritsyuk and Lenni Hämeenaho, which has worked so well thus far.
The good news on Jack is that no one seems to be worried about his injury status when it comes to the 2026 Winter Olympics. There are just three more Devils games between now and February 5th. First, the Senators on Saturday, then the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, and the New York Islanders on Thursday.
Team USA doesn’t play their first prelim matchup until February 12th.
In 35 games this season, Hughes scored 12 goals and 36 points. In 18 games since returning from his hand injury, Hughes accrued two goals and 16 points.
