The New Jersey Devils placed defenseman Luke Hughes on long-term injured reserve Wednesday with a shoulder injury sustained earlier in the week. The move is retroactive to Monday and requires him to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. Hughes, a key contributor on the blue line, leads the team in average ice time.
Luke Hughes, the New Jersey Devils' top defenseman in scoring this season, suffered a shoulder injury during Monday's 2-1 overtime victory against the Calgary Flames. The incident occurred at 8:51 of the second period when Hughes got tangled with Flames forward Justin Kirkland while battling for the puck along the boards. He did not return to the game and also sat out Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers, contributing to the team's recent success without him on the ice.
Placed on long-term injured reserve Wednesday, the designation is retroactive to the date of the injury. Under NHL rules, a player on LTIR must miss a minimum of 10 games and 24 calendar days, though no specific timeline for Hughes' return has been announced. At the time of the injury, the 21-year-old led the Devils in average ice time at 23:04 per game and topped the team's defensemen with 26 points—five goals and 21 assists—in 49 games played.
Drafted fourth overall by New Jersey in the 2021 NHL Draft, Hughes has established himself as a cornerstone of the franchise. In 204 regular-season games, he has amassed 119 points, including 22 goals and 97 assists. He also recorded two assists in four Stanley Cup Playoff appearances. His absence poses a challenge for the Devils, who sit sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a 26-22-2 record.
To bolster their defense, the Devils recalled Colton White from Utica of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. The team prepares for its next game Friday at the Vancouver Canucks.
