Jack Hughes highlights Devils’ returning players against Sabres

The New Jersey Devils will get an influx of talent for their Sunday matchup against the Buffalo Sabres.

Forward Jack Hughes will make his return to the lineup after missing the last 17 games with a hand injury.

The Devils are also expecting forward Timo Meier to re-join the group after missing the last five games due to a personal matter. Forward Arseny Gritsyuk is also expected to play after missing time with an upper-body injury.

Through his first 17 games of the 2025-26 campaign, Hughes had 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points. Now in his seventh NHL season, Hughes, the 2019 No. 1 overall pick, has 151 goals and 220 assists for 371 points in 385 career regular-season games.

Hughes also has six goals and five assists for 11 points in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

As for Meier, he’s got 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 30 games so far this season. Since joining the league in 2016-17, Meier, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, has 228 goals and 230 assists for 458 points in 651 regular-season games with the Devils and San Jose Sharks.

Meier also has 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 51 playoff games.

Gritsyuk, a 2019 fifth-round pick, is playing in his first NHL season and has seven goals and nine assists for 16 points in 31 games.

Through their first 35 games of the 2025-26 season, the Devils are 20-14-1 with 41 points, fifth in the Metropolitan Division.