Jack Hughes, the New Jersey Devils forward, exited early during a game against the Nashville Predators on Thursday. Hughes left midway through the first period with what appeared to be an injury.
Details of the Injury
During the first period, Hughes logged only 2:27 of ice time over three shifts. After initially leaving the ice, he returned briefly for one shift but was unable to continue. Devils team reporter Amanda Stein confirmed that he did not return after the first intermission.
Hughes’ Performance and Background
At 24 years old, Hughes was the top overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. The center has experienced ongoing injury concerns throughout his career. Remarkably, he has missed significant playing time in four of the last five seasons. Before this game, Hughes had participated in only 35 out of 53 games this season, accumulating 12 goals and 36 points.
Career Statistics
- Games Played: 404
- Goals: 153
- Points: 387
- Playoff Goals: 6
- Playoff Points: 11
Hughes is signed through 2030, with an annual cap hit of $8 million. His stats illustrate his significant contributions to the team despite injury setbacks.
Game Context
The Devils and Predators were tied at 1-1 after 40 minutes of play, with Dougie Hamilton and Michael McCarron providing the goals for their teams. Prior to this game, New Jersey was positioned 15th in the Eastern Conference, holding a 27-24-2 record for a total of 56 points in 53 games.
Upcoming Games
The Devils still have three regular-season games remaining before the 2026 Winter Olympics. Their schedule includes a visit to the Ottawa Senators on January 31, followed by home games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders on February 3 and 5, respectively.
