Devils place Luke Hughes on long-term injured reserve

The injury seemingly occurred when Calgary’s Justin Kirkland accidentally whacked Hughes in the right shoulder with his stick when trying to strip him of the puck.

This is a significant injury for the Devils, as Hughes is leading the team in average ice time with just over 23 minutes per game. In 49 games played this season, he has five goals and 21 assists for 26 points.

Selected fourth overall by the Devils in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Hughes is in his third full NHL season. He had a strong rookie campaign, with nine goals and 38 assists for 47 points in all 82 games during the 2023-24 season. Last season, he put up seven goals and 37 assists for 44 points in just 71 games played.

Hughes is in the first season of a seven-year, $63 million deal with New Jersey.

White, 28, has already played 23 games for the Devils this season, registering four assists. He has yet to get on the scoresheet in nine games with Utica.

The London, Ontario, native was drafted by the Devils in the fourth round in 2015. Ahead of the 2022-23 season, he left New Jersey by signing a two-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks, but the Devils brought him back when they signed him to a two-year deal in July 2024.

New Jersey will play the third game of a four-game road trip when they visit the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.