Jack Hughes injury update: What happened to New Jersey Devils forward?

New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes suffered a “fluke accident” at a team dinner, insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported Friday.

The Devils star forward reportedly sustained a cut on one of his hands while eating. The precise details of the situation are unknown at this point. Nevertheless, the unusual nature of the accident has raised concerns about Hughes’ future with the team.

Per Friedman, Hughes will not play in the Devils’ next game against the Washington Capitals on Saturday night. It’s also unclear how long Hughes may be out of the lineup. The injury could be substantial, seeing as it will force the 24-year-old to miss a game.

More details will surely follow, as losing Hughes would be a serious blow to the Devils. New Jersey has gotten off to a strong start this season, with Hughes playing a major role. In 17 games, Hughes has racked up 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points.

Jack Hughes and his long injury history in New Jersey

Unfortunately for the New Jersey Devils, Jack Hughes has a long history of injuries. He was limited to 62 games in each of the last two seasons. Last year, in particular, the Devils’ top-line center sustained a season-ending shoulder injury. The ailment required surgery but healed in time for the start of this season.

The injury sustained in March was his second major shoulder issue. During the 2023-24 season, Hughes suffered his first major shoulder injury, sidelining him for a significant portion of the season.

Throughout his career, Hughes has missed time with numerous upper-body injuries. While offseason surgery apparently solved his shoulder issues, he continued to miss time.

Friday’s hand injury should not be of major concern for the Devils. But it is nonetheless frustrating to see their best player get injured in various ways.

After Saturday’s tilt against the Capitals, the Devils will play the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa. If the injury is not severe, Hughes could be back in the lineup by then. But if the injury requires several stitches, Hughes could be out for multiple games.

An exact timeline for Jack Hughes’ injury won’t be known until the team provides further information. In the meantime, coach Sheldon Keefe will need to juggle his lines to accommodate Hughes’ absence.