The New Jersey Devils are dealing with an injury bug, again.
Devils star forward Jack Hughes is out on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to New Jersey’s interim head coach Travis Green.
Green described Hughes’ injury as “upper-body.”
When asked about the possibility that Hughes could miss the remaining four games of the regular season, Green answered to the media, “We’ll see.”
Green wouldn’t comment further on the extent of Hughes’ injury.
“I’ve already said what I’m going to say.. he’s not in tonight.”
Hughes hasn’t been 100% since he returned from his second extended injury stint on Feb. 8th.
The Devils’ franchise forward has played the wing rather than the center position since his return, seemingly signaling to a reaggravated shoulder injury, although that is unconfirmed.
Dawson Mercer is replacing Hughes on the first unit power play per Tuesday’s workflow.
Hughes is one of a few injuries the Devils have recently suffered. The Devils forward joins Masterton Trophy nominee Curtis Lazar — who Green explained is likely done for the season — and Kaapo Kahkonen.
Taking Kahkonen’s place as Jake Allen’s backup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday is Akria Schmid who is on recall from the American Hockey League.
In a bit of good news, Devils defenseman John Marino is returning to the lineup tonight. The Devils defenseman explained he was dealing with a few injuries, and a couple of days off helped him recover enough to likely finish out the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
In the forward group, Nolan Foote is seemingly set to make his season debut against Toronto on Tuesday. He’ll also seemingly get power play time on the second unit with Mercer moving up to Hughes’ spot.
Tuesday Morning’s Devils Workflow
Forwards
Shane Bowers – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier – Erik Haula – Alexander Holtz
Ondrej Palat – Tomas Nosek – Dawson Mercer
Kurtis MacDermid/Brian Halonen – Chris Tierney – Nolan Foote
Defenseman
Luke Hughes – John Marino
Kevin Bahl – Brendan Smith
Jonas Siegenthaler – Simon Nemec
Nick DeSimone
Goaltenders
Jake Allen
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