The New Jersey Devils lost another player to injury, but the reports continue to say that Jack Hughes is not as injured as he could have been. The Devils will be without their star on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, but beyond that, there’s optimism. Even if he misses the games up until the Olympic break, it’s only three more until everyone gets a breather from Devils hockey.
And boy, do we need it.
It’s been a rough season for Devils fans. While they are still somehow more likely than not to make the playoffs, according to Patrick Bacon’s TopDown Hockey, the journey has been a brutal one.
Jack Hughes’s second injury isn’t even the icing on the cake. We like cake. This is more the coating on the Good N’ Plenty.
However, reports indicate this isn’t too bad and that Team USA isn’t worried about his availability for the Olympics. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic said specifically that there’s nothing to worry about, even though he called it noteworthy.
"At this point no one involved seems worried it might affect Hughes’ Olympic availability. Sounds more day to day. But obviously this close to Milan, it’s noteworthy."Pierre LeBrun, The Athletic
This fact has many Devils fans angry. Why would Hughes play in the Olympics if he’s not able to play for New Jersey?
When we really think about it, should we care? Let’s remember what happened last season. The Vancouver Canucks kept Quinn Hughes from returning from injury to play alongside his brother at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Will the Devils pull the same thing with the Olympics?
With Tom Fitzgerald as the assistant GM of Team USA, and with his standing with the Devils and the Hughes Brothers still in question after the failed Quinn Hughes trade, we don’t see Fitzgerald pulling a move like this. Based on how the NHL has acted in the past, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Jack Hughes.
We’re not going to tell Devils fans how to feel. If they are upset that Hughes isn’t playing in these last three games ahead of the Olympic break with the Devils desperate for standings points, it makes sense. However, this isn’t a knock on his commitment to New Jersey if he sits out as a precaution and play in Milan.
Hughes told Fansided that his focus up until the Olympics is on the Devils. He’s dedicated to this team, even if he understands the importance of playing for Team USA. As long as he comes out of the Olympic healthy, that’s what really matters.