Jack Hughes, the captain of the New Jersey Devils, suffered a severe shoulder injury during his team’s recent match against the Vegas Golden Knights, dramatically impacting the direction of the Devils’ season.<\/p>
On March 2, 2025, as the Devils aimed to close the gap trailing 2-0 late in the third period, Hughes collided with Golden Knights star Jack Eichel. The injury occurred when Hughes attempted to corral the rebound from a shot taken by teammate Nico Hischier; Hughes couldn't get control of the puck, leading him to crash hard against the boards after getting tangled with Eichel. Images captured during the game show Hughes skating off the ice, visibly favoring his right arm, as he appeared to dangle his arm limply at his side.
Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe commented on Hughes’ injury, saying, "Real hard to see him go down. There’s no update. Obviously, it didn’t look good,” after the game. The incident not only generated concern for Hughes’ health but also ignited Keefe’s frustration with officiials, leading to his ejection for arguing about the non-call on Eichel.
Hughes has been the cornerstone of the Devils' offensive lineup, leading the team with 27 goals and 70 points this season. His absence from the lineup could spell trouble for New Jersey, who currently stands third place in the Metropolitan Division with 72 points, having recorded 33 wins and 23 losses along with six overtime losses. With the NHL trade deadline fast approaching on March 7, the Devils were already expected to strengthen their center positions, and Hughes' injury compounds the urgency for management to act swiftly.
“Not only is he injured on the play, but there’s no call,” Keefe expressed. “I get kicked off the bench for telling the referee I felt it was 10 times worse than the one previously called on Jack.” The loss against Vegas reinforced not only the necessity of Hughes’ presence on the ice but also highlighted the team’s already existing vulnerabilities; they have struggled with scoring depth, especially now with Hughes down.
Prior to Hughes’ injury, the organization believed they were well-equipped offensively and expected to acquire another skilled center. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, "The one team everyone believes will absolutely 100 percent trade for a center? New Jersey,” indicating the high expectations for the Devils to bolster their lineup. The team’s hopes of making it through the rest of the season and possibly the playoffs hinge on their ability to fill the gaps left by Hughes and replicate his scoring ability, which becomes even more pressing as they face tough games against rivals.
Despite being missing several key players this season, Hughes' performance had been pivotal to their scoring capabilities. Team general manager Tom Fitzgerald had previously expressed confidence about their offensive plans but conditioned it on Hughes' health. The current situation casts doubt on those expectations as many of the other key players have not been able to fulfill their scoring potential consistently.
For example, Dawson Mercer, who was expected to step up, has not found the back of the net like he did last season when he scored 27 goals. The optimistically constructed framework around the team may be crumbling under pressure, particularly with Hughes sidelined.
With the Columbus Blue Jackets only four points behind the Devils, the threat of losing their playoff spot haunts the team. The mounting pressure on Fitzgerald and the franchise as they need to act before the trading deadline could lead to drastic changes. With the potential for Hughes to miss significant time, the organization will need to make rapid decisions to pivot and adapt the team’s strength to compensate for this possible long-term loss.
The upcoming games against the Dallas Stars on the following Tuesday serve as another opportunity to either stabilize the squad or expose more weaknesses. If the Devils can’t fill the gaps swiftly, they may find themselves struggling not just for playoffs seating but for overall team cohesion.
Overall, Jack Hughes’ situation is emblematic of the challenges faced by the New Jersey Devils and their decision-making strategies as they navigate the precarious balancing act of maintaining competitiveness against external pressures. With the looming trade deadline and the potential need for immediate reinforcements, the next few days could shape the season.