NHL buzz: Jack Hughes' injury shakes up Devils' trade deadline plans

The New Jersey Devils faced a tough loss on Sunday night when Jack Hughes exited the game late in the third period after a hard collision with Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel.

With under two minutes remaining in the 2-0 loss, Hughes and his brother, Luke Hughes, charged into the Vegas zone on a 2-on-1. As Jack neared the net, his skates got tangled with Eichel’s, sending him crashing hard into the boards. He remained down for a moment before skating off while favoring his right arm.

Now, his status is uncertain, and with the NHL trade deadline approaching on Friday, March 8, his injury could force the Devils into making a big move.

Before Sunday’s game, the Devils were already looking to add a center to strengthen their depth behind Hughes and Nico Hischier. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that New Jersey was "100 percent" expected to trade for a middle-six center.

Now, with Hughes' injury potentially leaving a major hole in the lineup, general manager Tom Fitzgerald could be forced to speed up trade discussions or target a more impactful player than originally planned.

The Devils currently rely on Justin Dowling and Erik Haula to fill out their center depth, but neither provides the offensive production that Hughes does. If his injury keeps him out for an extended period, New Jersey may need to look at bigger trade options or risk falling out of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Devils Frustrated After Loss

Sheldon Keefe was furious about Hughes injury and argued that Eichel’s play should have been called a penalty. He was ejected after receiving a game misconduct for his reaction.

"It was a similar play that [Jack Hughes] got called on earlier in the period. Not only is he injured on the play, but there's no call,” Keefe said after the game.

The loss dropped the Devils to 33-23-6, keeping them in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 72 points.

How Much Will Hughes Be Missed?

Hughes has been a key part of the Devils’ offense all season, leading the team with 27 goals and 70 points in 62 games. He has scored in 22 games and assisted in 30, proving himself as both a goal-scorer and playmaker.

New Jersey has already struggled offensively since January, and losing their top scorer, even temporarily, could be a serious setback.

Last season, Hughes missed 20 games due to injury, and the Devils ultimately failed to make the playoffs. Two years ago, when he played nearly a full season, they secured the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division and reached the second round.

His health will now be a major storyline leading up to Friday’s trade deadline. Will the Devils make a move to replace him? Or will they risk waiting for their star to return?