New Jersey Devils’ Jack Hughes expected to be out weeks, per Lindy Ruff

The New Jersey Devils’ young superstar might return within the month.

On Tuesday, head coach Lindy Ruff told the media that forward Jack Hughes is going to be out for a matter for weeks, rather than being out months.

The veteran coach admitted the team is aware that Hughes will be out for some time, with the plan that the 22-year-old be evaluated week to week to see how quickly he gets better.

Hugues was injured last Friday in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, going down awkwardly while carrying the play into the offensive zone.

He ended up being ruled out for Saturday night’s game against the Vancouver Canucks, and there is no definitive timeline for the former U.S. National Team Development Program star.

Hughes has already missed some time earlier this season, having to sit out five games back in November back with an upper-body injury.

The former first-overall pick joins a laundry list of key players that are on the Devils’ injured list. Currently, Tomas Nosek, Timo Meier, Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler are on injured reserve, while Hughes and Ondrej Palat are listed as day-to-day.

Before the injury, Hughes was on a five-game point streak, scoring a goal and six assists over that span. In 32 games, he has scored 15 goals and 30 assists, just a hair under his pace that led a 99-point 2022-23 campaign.

Hughes is going to be out for some important games for the Devils. Starting with a trip through Florida this weekend, New Jersey visits the Atlantic Division-leading Boston Bruins on Monday.

The Devils (21-15-2) are fifth in the Metropolitan Division, two points back of the New York Islanders for third. They are also hanging onto the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, though that can easily change before New Jersey takes on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.