What Hughes' season-ending surgery means for Devils' playoff hopes

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) makes his way off the ice after suffering an apparent injury during a play against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

What Jack Hughes' season-ending surgery means for Devils' playoff hopes

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Mar 5, 2025 6:46 PM ET

The New Jersey Devils announced that star center Jack Hughes underwent successful shoulder surgery on Wednesday, ending his 2024-25 season. He will be placed on long-term injured reserve while he recovers.

Hughes' absence is a major blow to the Devils as they hit the home stretch of the regular season. The team sits third in the Metropolitan Division (72 points), but has little breathing room ahead of wild-card hopefuls in the Eastern Conference.

With just 19 games left to play, it would take a disastrous losing streak for New Jersey to miss the playoffs but losing Hughes will cost the team some serious offensive output.

His 70 points (27 goals, 43 assists) is tied for the team lead with Jesper Bratt, meaning others will have to step up in Hughes' absence.

Hughes was on a five-game points streak before being injured on a hard hit Sunday against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Jack Hughes was injured on this play against the Golden Knights. He underwent shoulder surgery on Wednesday and will miss the rest of the season. https://t.co/zMvB0pvPPv pic.twitter.com/XbKTKq0Fgc
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 5, 2025

The Columbus Blue Jackets (68 points) and New York Rangers (66 points) are the nearest threats to New Jersey's hold on third place in the Metro.

If it were to fall below there, the team would have to jockey with the Detroit Red Wings (66 points) and Ottawa Senators (65 points) for one of two wild-card positions.

In the likely event New Jersey survives to clinch a playoff spot, it would probably face its division-rival Carolina Hurricanes (76 points) in the first round.

The Devils split that season series (2-2) but Hughes logged six points (one goal, five assists), meaning there will be a significant need for replacement offense.

With Friday's trade deadline approaching, New Jersey may be inclined to explore its options in acquiring a veteran centerman like the New York Islanders' Brock Nelson (43 points, 20 goals, 23 assists) or the Nashville Predators' Ryan O'Reilly (39 points, 16 goals, 23 assists).

The Devils are already a young squad but it may take a seasoned presence to plug the Hughes-sized hole heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, widely viewed as a brand new season when it comes to play style and intensity.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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