Devils superstar Jack Hughes suffers strange injury at team dinner

The 24-year-old Hughes has been a catalyst for the Devils' success this season, having racked up 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) through the first 17 games.

Jack Hughes' injury issues

It won't be the first time that the Devils have to find a way to tread water without the face of their franchise.

Hughes' last two seasons were both cut short because of shoulder injuries that required surgery, limiting him to just 62 games played each year.

This is, of course, a completely different situation and a fluke, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating for him and the organization who have its sights set on competing for a Stanley Cup.

Friedman mentioned in his piece that both the Devils and Team USA are hoping this is nothing too serious, which reminds us of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy, where Hughes is expected to play a big role.

That begins in just under three months, on Feb. 11, so Hughes should be ready in plenty of time to represent his country, assuming the injury is more of a short-term issue.

New Jersey will now be forced to rely even more on captain Nico Hischier moving forward to shoulder the load without Hughes, beginning on Saturday night in Washington against the Capitals.