Star Forward Jack Hughes Out for Season After Devastating Crash

In a significant blow to the New Jersey Devils, forward Jack Hughes has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following a severe shoulder injury sustained during a recent game. The incident occurred during a competitive matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights where a collision with fellow player Jack Eichel led to an unfortunate crash into the boards.

The injury was officially announced by the team on Wednesday, adding to the growing concerns surrounding player health and safety in the NHL. Hughes, who had been one of the standout players this season, suffered the injury in the closing minutes of the third period while the Devils were striving for a goal.

Incident Details

As the Devils looked to close the gap late in the game, player Nico Hischier took a shot that missed the target. Hughes attempted to capitalize on the rebound but lost control of the puck. In the frenzy, he collided with Eichel, leading to a hard crash against the boards that left fans worried. The scene was alarming as Hughes skated off the ice, visibly in pain and with his right arm hanging limply.

Hughes and Eichel had previously shared the ice during the 4 Nations Face-Off, representing Team USA, and Eichel quickly checked on his teammate following the incident.

Medical Updates

Following the collision, the Devils provided minimal updates, indicating that Hughes returned to the East Coast the day after the injury. On Wednesday, the organization confirmed that he underwent surgery in Colorado to address the damage to his shoulder.

After the game, Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe expressed his concern, stating, “Obviously, it didn’t look good… It’s tough to see, especially since it’s a similar play he got called on earlier in the period.” The emotional weight of the situation was further captured by the reactions of family members, with Hughes’ brother, Luke, appearing visibly shaken upon entering the locker room for a postgame media session.

Team Impacts

The loss of Hughes comes at a challenging time for the Devils, who had also been grappling with other injuries, including that of star defenseman Dougie Hamilton. Despite starting strong with the best record in the Metropolitan Division during the holiday season, the team has suffered a slump, going 10-13-3 since Christmas.

With just 19 games remaining in the regular season, the Devils currently hold a playoff position. However, with other teams closely trailing and possessing games in hand, the pressure is mounting. The potential of losing Hughes for the entire season raises concerns about the team’s ability to maintain its playoff spot, especially as they had aspirations of contending for the Stanley Cup.

Should they secure a playoff berth, it would mark their second appearance in the postseason in the last three years, a notable improvement after making the playoffs only once from 2013 to 2022.

Hughes’ Performance Before Injury

This injury marks the second consecutive season in which Jack Hughes will be limited to approximately 62 games. Last year, he also faced injury challenges. Despite the setbacks, Hughes managed to tally an impressive 27 goals and 40 assists during this season, showcasing his talent and importance to the team. As the first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, his career trajectory was promising, making this injury all the more disappointing.

Moving forward, the Devils must reassess their strategy in light of Hughes’ absence. Other players will need to step up to fill the void left by their star forward, and coaching staff will likely have to adjust line combinations to maintain offensive pressure.

Fox News Sports contributed significant reporting to this story. The unfolding situation with Hughes and the Devils highlights the ongoing risks athletes face on the ice. As teams and players prepare for the postseason, the impact of injuries cannot be underestimated.

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