Devils’ Social Media Misstep Adds to a Season of Frustration in New Jersey
It’s been a rough ride for the New Jersey Devils this season-on the ice and now, apparently, online too. While the 2026 Winter Olympics offer a much-needed break from NHL action, the Devils still managed to find themselves in the spotlight this weekend, and not for the reasons their fans would’ve hoped.
The team’s social media account stirred up controversy with a post meant to celebrate Jack Hughes heading to Milano-Cortina for the Olympics. On the surface, the post seemed harmless-just a simple shoutout to one of the team’s brightest stars.
But a closer look at the second image raised some eyebrows. Alongside Jack, you can spot Matthew and Brady Tkachuk... and what appears to be a not-so-subtle Photoshop job where Quinn Hughes was cropped out.
For those who’ve followed the Devils’ social media antics over the past year, this isn’t exactly new. Ever since Quinn Hughes was on the market and ultimately ended up elsewhere, the Devils’ social team has leaned into a running gag: cropping Quinn out of any photos featuring his brothers, Jack and Luke.
It started as a lighthearted bit, a nod to the missed opportunity of uniting the three Hughes brothers in New Jersey. But this latest post has fans-and even reporters-wondering if the joke has worn out its welcome.
The Photoshop job in question wasn’t exactly subtle. You can clearly see where Quinn was standing, now replaced with a patchy edit that feels more like a meme than a polished piece of content from an NHL franchise. Whether it was intentional or just a slip-up, it’s not a great look for a team already trying to manage fan frustration after a disappointing season.
Even Devils beat reporters seemed caught off guard, with some publicly questioning the intent behind the post. That confusion only fueled the fire, as fans debated whether this was a continuation of the inside joke or just a case of poor execution.
To add another layer, the Minnesota Wild-Quinn’s new team-joined the conversation with a jab of their own, poking fun at the situation. It was a light-hearted roast, but it underscored a larger issue: when other teams are clowning on your social posts, it’s probably time to reassess the strategy.
Look, humor has its place in sports, especially when things aren’t going well. A little levity can go a long way in keeping fans engaged through tough stretches.
But there’s a fine line between being playful and being perceived as tone-deaf. For a team that’s been struggling to find its footing this season, and with fans already frustrated, revisiting the Quinn Hughes saga-especially during an Olympic moment meant to celebrate Jack-feels like a misstep.
The Devils have a passionate fanbase that’s hungry for progress, not punchlines. And while this may seem like a minor social media blip, it reflects a bigger challenge the organization faces: shifting the narrative from what could’ve been to what’s next. Right now, that means focusing on development, accountability, and building toward a more competitive future-on the ice and off it.
Until then, moments like this will keep popping up. And in a season where wins are hard to come by, even a poorly cropped photo can become the story.