The New Jersey Devils could be headed in a downward spiral at supersonic speeds after the recent turn of events in the NHL. Following a disappointing dying-seconds defeat to the Dallas Stars, the teamâs morale has been further affected by the announcement on Jack Hughesâ injury timeline.
When it rains, it poursâand it must be raining cats and dogs in Newark, as nothing has gone the Devilsâ way over the past week. New Jerseyâs lynchpin, Jack Hughes, suffered a gruesome shoulder injury during the teamâs 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 26.
After extensive evaluations, doubts lingered about when the alternate captain could return to the ice, and the results havenât been promising.
Moreover, the Devils are coming off a heartbreaking stay in the DFW metro area, after their 4-3 loss against the Stars. After surrendering the game-winning goal to Dallas with 4.3 seconds left, the New Jersey locker room has now learned the expected timeline for their star, Jack Hughes.
Jack Hughes #86 of Team USA skates against Team Canada in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
âJack Hughes underwent shoulder surgery earlier today and will be placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). Jack is expected to make a full recovery and be available for training camp,â the Devils social media account announced.
see also
NHL News: Bruins send key Brad Marchand teammate to Connor McDavidâs Oilers in shocking three-team trade
The news means Hughesâ 2024-25 NHL season has come to a crushing end, and with it, the Devilsâ hopes for the Stanley Cup have taken a major blow.
Slim silver lining
If there are any positives to take from the news of Hughesâ right shoulder surgery, they are limited to just two: first, the procedure went smoothly, and second, placing Hughes on LTIR has freed up $8 million in cap space for the Devils.
The available cap space could be pivotal as the trade deadline approaches and the Devils search for a replacement for their 1C. Still, it will take some big steps to fill Hughesâ shoes at The Rock.
Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils brings the puck off the boards against Calvin de Haan #44 of the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at Ball Arena on February 26, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
The Jets land in Newark
Winnipeg and New Jersey will face off on March 7 in a matchup with an odd vibe. The Jets were on a tear in the NHL just a few days ago, winning 11 straight, but have since dropped three in a row.
Meanwhile, the Devils have watched everything that could go wrong unravel into disaster. Both teams will be eager to get back in the win column, but neither side is at their best right now.
