The New Jersey Devils are closing out a difficult season. The Devils are 40-35-3 entering the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins and have already been eliminated from the playoff race.
New Jersey's shift into offseason mode became more evident on Thursday morning, as the organization shared a significant update involving one of its core players, defenseman Luke Hughes.
The 22-year-old blueliner has been a regular in the lineup, appearing in 68 games during the 2025-26 campaign and scoring 35 points (six goals, 29 assists) while posting a minus-4 plus/minus this season.
Hughes has averaged a team-high 23:01 of ice time per game this campaign after the Devils were officially eliminated from postseason contention on Tuesday.
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With the team playing for nothing at this point, the Devils announced that Luke Hughes will miss the remainder of the season to "undergo a procedure" and begin rehabilitation early.
“The New Jersey Devils have shut down D Luke Hughes to undergo a procedure and get a head start on rehab for the off-season,” the Devils said.
The organization did not disclose the nature of the procedure, and no specific recovery timeline was provided alongside the announcement, although Hughes initially injured his shoulder back in January.
Hughes signed a seven-year, $63 million contract right before the 2025-26 season, further solidifying his role as a key piece of the Devils' long-term core.
The blueliner's absence from the Devils' lineup won't change the outcome of their season, but it will impact his participation with Team USA in the upcoming 2026 IIHF World Championship, scheduled to take place between May 15-13 in Switzerland.
