Devils star Jack Hughes is expected to be out eight weeks after undergoing surgery on a finger injured in a non-hockey incident, the team announced Saturday.
The anticipated surgery recovery time is eight weeks, but Hughes will be reevaluated in six weeks, the team said.
Multiples outlets reported Friday that Hughes suffered a “freak accident” that included being cut by glass at a team dinner Thursday.
Hughes reportedly returned to New Jersey to be evaluated while the team went on to Washington for Saturday night’s matchup against the Capitals.
The injury comes as Hughes has helped the Devils to a 12-4-1 record with 10 goals and 10 assists in his first 17 games.
He has 371 career points (151 goals, 220 assists) in 385 games since New Jersey selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Hughes had been widely expected to play at the 2026 Olympics in Milan as part of Team USA, which must submit rosters by Dec. 31, putting them in a tricky position. If recovery goes as anticipated, Hughes would return to the ice in mid-January, with the men’s Olympic hockey tournament set to start Feb. 11.
Jack’s brother, Quinn, has already been named to the Olympic team.
