New Jersey Devils superstar Jack Hughes out for season after shoulder surgery

Well, the news that not one single New Jersey Devils fan wanted to hear has arrived — Jack Hughes is out for the rest of the season.

Hughes underwent shoulder surgery early on Wednesday in Colorado and has since been played on long-term injured reserve. Dr. Peter Millett performed it at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado; this is the same location where he had his shoulder operation in April of 2024.

"Following a review of the imaging and subsequent conversations with Jack, his family, representatives, and the Devils' medical and athlete care staffs, it was determined that Jack would proceed with shoulder surgery," the team said in a statement.

The 23-year-old center was tripped into the boards during a short-handed breakout at around the 18-minute mark of the third period in a 2-0 loss at the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. He skated off the ice gingerly while favoring his right shoulder.

Both the National Hockey League and the New Jersey Devils released their own statements later that afternoon.

"Jack's a very important player, so the whole group was feeling for him the other night, myself and the coaching staff included," Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said Tuesday before the extent of the injury was released to the public. "Injuries are part of the game, but just the nature of it and all of that makes it tougher, and also knowing what he's been through in the past. "

Of course, Hughes is an important player. He leads the Devils in goals (27), game-winning goals (seven), shots on goal (229), and forwards in average ice time per game (20:54). His 70 points are tied with Jesper Bratt for first, and he's second in assists (43) behind Bratt's 53.

The No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft also had one assist in four games playing for the United States in February's 4 Nations Face-Off.

"It's obviously a big loss for our team but we had some talks already about it," Devils captainNico Hischier said prior to a 4-3 loss at the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. "I think right now, we just got to dig in. I think we all know that Jack would've loved to be here with us playing in Dallas."

The (sort of) good news for Hughes, his fans, and Devils fans, is that since the decision to have the surgery was made early — Hughes is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp.

What Hughes being out means for the Devils

The Devils are third in the Metro Division at 72 points. But the team squandered an early-season points cushion by going 9-11-3 since Jan. 1, while other teams are closing the gap in the standings.

Without Hughes the New Jersey Devils playoff hopes hang in the balance. The Devils just watched their Hudson River Rival, the New York Rangers, jump ahead of the Red Wings in the standings and are back in the playoff race. The Rangers now have 66 points; the Devils' most recent losses put them only six points ahead the Blueshirts. The Columbus Blue Jackets are also hot on their tail, four points back with two games in hand.

The Devils are also to play the Vancouver Cancucks in the Prudential Center on March 24th, in what many fans have dubbed "the Hughes Bowl." The eldest brother, Quinn Hughes, is the captain of the Canucks, while Luke and Jack Hughes are on the Devils roster. With Quinn also missing Wednesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks due to an undisclosed injury, it appears that Luke could be the only Hughes brother on the ice during the game.