New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes is done for the season. Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Devils' Jack Hughes out for the season with a knee injury

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Apr 6, 2022 7:09 PM ET

The New Jersey Devils announced that center Jack Hughes would miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury Monday in the Devils' 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders.

"Following imaging and evaluation of Jack's injury by the Devils medical staff and head orthopedic surgeon/Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jonathan L. Glashow, it was determined that Jack suffered a low-grade MCL sprain of his left knee," the press release stated. "Given the timing, he will be held out of game action for the rest of the season. Jack will begin his motion rehab and conditioning immediately."

Hughes suffered the injury after a knee-on-knee collision with Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom.

Jack Hughes to the locker room after this hit from Oliver Wahlstrom #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/arlgGq2tXl
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) April 3, 2022

In his third NHL season at just 20 years old, Hughes was having a career year. The former first overall pick had already posted career highs in almost every category in seven fewer games.

In 49 games, Hughes' 26 goals easily surpassed his previous season-best of 11 goals. Meanwhile, his career-best in assists rose by 10, from 20 to 30.

Hughes led the Devils in even-strength goals (20) and power-play goals (6). His shooting percentage also increased considerably, improving from 7.7 S% a season ago to a team-best 15.8 S% in 2022.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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