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Devils’ Luke Hughes Reportedly ‘Emotional’ After Brother Jack’s Injury

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Daniel Amoia | Last updated Mar 3, 2025 12:19 PM ET

It’s no secret that Jack Hughes is the heart and soul of the New Jersey Devils. He’s been on the ice for 55.1% of their goals this season, including 66% since the New Year.

So, it was no surprise that the fanbase went into full panic mode when he collided with Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel, immediately hunching over and heading straight down the tunnel. Following the contest, head coach Sheldon Keefe said the injury “obviously, didn’t look good,” but did not provide a specific update, stating that he had to get evaluated to learn the full extent.

Jack Hughes left the ice after colliding with Jack Eichel and the boards. pic.twitter.com/ms3Ye5CJoP
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 3, 2025

According to a report from ESPN, “Luke Hughes was emotional when he entered the locker room while the media waited to conduct a postgame interview. The media were escorted to the hallway to give him privacy.” Uh oh.

J. Hughes has missed stretches of games on nine separate occasions throughout his career, including six labeled “upper body”. In 2021, he missed 17 games after dislocating his left shoulder. In 2024, he injured his right shoulder and got surgery on it.

Dr. Harjas Grewal has built a following on X for evaluating video of NHL player injuries. “Purely from a mechanism standpoint, would anticipate a collarbone related injury,” posted Dr. Grewal. “Either a separated shoulder or broken collarbone, but considering Hughes’ history, plus how he holds his arm after, my concern is a dislocated shoulder.”

He then added that if Hughes has to get surgery, it would be a 4-6 month recovery. But he also said some players are able to delay it and finish out the season. Devils fans saw firsthand in 2024 how Hughes’ production dipped while playing injured. If he decides to play with an injury, he likely wouldn’t be nearly as effective.

Regardless, it’s still important to wait for an official update from the team. But based on the evidence – both Luke’s reaction and Grewal’s analysis – there doesn’t seem to be much reason for optimism.