Jack Hughes Exits Early With Lower-Body Injury, Status for Devils and Team USA in Question
The New Jersey Devils got the win in overtime, but they may have taken a bigger loss earlier in the night. Star center Jack Hughes left the game after just one period and did not return, exiting down the tunnel midway through the first against Nashville.
He briefly came back for a shift, but it was short-lived-he was off the ice again soon after. Postgame, head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed it was a lower-body injury, and while it’s not believed to be serious, Hughes will need further evaluation before anything definitive is known.
This marks another frustrating turn in a season where Hughes has already battled back from injury. He returned in late December after missing a month due to an off-ice accident that required finger surgery.
Since then, the 24-year-old has looked more and more like himself, putting up 16 points in 18 games-including six in his last five. Even with 18 games missed, Hughes still ranks third in team scoring and leads all Devils forwards in ice time.
That tells you everything you need to know about how central he is to New Jersey’s attack.
The fact that Hughes was able to briefly return to the game is encouraging, but the Devils won’t take any chances with their franchise cornerstone-especially with the Olympic break just two weeks out. New Jersey is back in action Saturday in Ottawa, and all eyes will be on Hughes’ status heading into that matchup. Beyond the Devils, Team USA will be monitoring closely too, with Hughes expected to play a major role in their Olympic push.
Injury Bug Hits Bruins: Zacha Leaves Early With Upper-Body Issue
It wasn’t just the Devils dealing with injury concerns. The Boston Bruins saw center Pavel Zacha exit early with an upper-body injury, as confirmed by the team.
Zacha has been a steady two-way presence for Boston this season, racking up 36 points in 53 games-good for fourth on the team. He’s also been remarkably durable, missing just one game all year.
That consistency has been key for a Bruins squad already managing injuries down the middle, with Elias Lindholm currently listed as day-to-day.
Boston’s hoping Zacha will be ready to go by Sunday, when they head to Tampa Bay. If not, the Bruins' center depth could be stretched thin, especially against a Lightning team that can roll four lines and exploit matchups quickly.
Logan Stanley Emerging as Trade Candidate Amid Jets’ Tumultuous Season
With the trade deadline inching closer, one name starting to surface is Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley. According to recent reports, Stanley is being viewed as a potential rental option for contenders looking to beef up their blue line. And it’s not hard to see why.
The towering 6’7” blueliner is having his most productive season to date, notching eight goals in 51 games-an eye-catching jump for a player who had never scored more than one in any of his previous five NHL seasons. He’s also embraced the physical side of the game with gusto, racking up 95 penalty minutes so far, already a career-high with plenty of games left to play.
Stanley isn’t without his flaws-his 46.5% Corsi For at even strength underscores some of the possession struggles-but his size, physicality, and cap-friendly $1.25 million hit make him an intriguing option for teams in need of depth on the back end. No specific suitors have been confirmed, but a team like Detroit, which could use a bit more bite and size on its third pairing, might make sense as a landing spot.
The Jets have started to string together a few wins, but their early-season slump may have already done too much damage. If Winnipeg shifts into seller mode, Stanley could be one of the first pieces to move.
Injuries, trade chatter, and Olympic implications-it’s that time of year when the NHL’s storylines start to stack up fast. And with Jack Hughes' health now a key question for both the Devils and Team USA, the next few days could have ripple effects far beyond New Jersey.