Devils receive horrible news involving Jack Hughes

 

The New Jersey Devils' hopes of qualifying for the playoffs were severely damaged when their top scorer, Jack Hughes, underwent shoulder surgery and is gone for the season.

After testing and discussions with his family, agency, and medical staff, the team reported that Hughes had what it called successful surgery on his right shoulder in Vail, Colorado, on Wednesday. He is expected to be prepared for training camp.

Late in New Jersey's Sunday night loss to Vegas, Hughes, 23, was hurt when he collided with the boards after being entangled with Golden Knights center Jack Eichel. Coach Sheldon Keefe was sent off for shouting at referees about the play's lack of a penalty call, and Hughes fled the ice clutching his right arm.

Keefe received a $25,000 fine earlier on Wednesday for acting in an unethical manner toward officials, according to the NHL.

“I get kicked off the bench for telling the referee I felt that it was 10 times worse than the one that was previously called on Jack,” Keefe said after the game.

One of the franchise's faces and a rising star is Jack Hughes, who was selected first overall in the 2019 draft. He played significant minutes for the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off and entered Wednesday tied for ninth place in the league in scoring with 70 points from 27 goals and 43 assists.

In order to free up some roster space against the salary cap prior to Friday's NHL trade deadline, the Devils placed Hughes on long-term injured reserve. They are well in position, now third in the Metropolitan Division, and are hoping to make a comeback to the postseason after missing it last year, but the injuries are mounting.

Just after New Jersey got starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom back from his extended injury absence, No. 1 defenseman Dougie Hamilton left the game at Dallas on Tuesday night. Keefe did not have an update when asked about Hamilton's status after the last-second loss.