The New Jersey Devils have strung together back-to-back wins, but the mood around the team took a serious hit with the injury to standout defenseman Luke Hughes. For a season that’s already felt like a grind, seeing one of their cornerstone players go down looked like another gut punch.
But here’s the silver lining: the injury might not be as bad as it first appeared.
During ESPN’s broadcast of the Red Wings-Wild game, insider Emily Kaplan shared a promising update. According to Kaplan, “It doesn’t sound like it will be long after the Olympic break until we see Luke Hughes again.” That’s a major sigh of relief for Devils fans and the organization alike.
Let’s break that down. The NHL’s Olympic break kicks off on February 5 and runs through February 26.
So if Hughes is trending toward a return shortly after that, we’re likely looking at a 4-to-6-week recovery window - fairly standard for midseason injuries. And more importantly, this timeline keeps him in play for a critical stretch run.
In the short term, New Jersey just needs to weather the storm for seven more games before the break hits. That includes a Friday night matchup against a struggling Vancouver Canucks squad, plus a pair of key divisional tilts against the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders - games that could have real playoff implications down the line. Every point matters, especially in the crowded Metropolitan Division.
The schedule doesn’t ease up after the break either. The Devils are slated for three games in four nights as soon as play resumes, with back-to-back contests against Buffalo and Pittsburgh on February 25 and 26, followed by a road trip to St.
Louis to face the Blues on February 28. That Blues game could mark Hughes’s return to the lineup, assuming everything stays on track.
Hughes, just 22 years old, was officially placed on long-term injured reserve this past Wednesday. That designation means he’s out for at least 10 games and 24 days, but it also sets up a potential return right at the tail end of the Olympic pause. It’s a smart move - it gives the Devils flexibility on the cap while also buying time for Hughes to heal without rushing.
Speaking of cap space, the Devils now have $3.157 million to work with, per PuckPedia. But don’t expect them to go on a spending spree. If Hughes is expected back shortly after the break - and with the NHL trade deadline looming just a week or so later - it’s unlikely New Jersey makes any big moves unless they’re moving salary out to make room.
Bottom line: the Devils have a tough couple of weeks ahead, but the news on Hughes is about as good as they could’ve hoped for. If they can stay afloat until the Olympic break and get their young star back soon after, this season might still have some life left in it.