The New Jersey Devils’ Stanley Cup chances were dealt a serious blow Wednesday when the team announced star Jack Hughes is done for the season with a shoulder injury. Hughes will undergo surgery and should be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season.
Hughes leads the Devils in goals (27) and is tied for the team lead in points (70). His loss leaves a massive hole in New Jersey’s lineup and puts GM Tom Fitzgerald in a bind going into the trade deadline. Does he buy knowing he’ll be without his best player the rest of the way, or does he sell some smaller pieces to pick up assets for a summer reload?
Hughes isn’t the only Eastern Conference star out for a while. After injuring his groin in the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Panthers announced star forward Matthew Tkachuk has been placed on LTIR and will likely be out until the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“Matthew’s going to be out for an extended period of time. We hope to get him back for the playoffs,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers official website.
In addition to Tkachuk, a few other teams are dealing with significant injuries on their blue line. The New York Rangers and Nashville Predators are among them with Adam Fox and Roman Josi banged up.
A couple more defensemen, including Charlie McAvoy (Bruins) and Shea Theodore (Golden Knights) are still feeling the effects of the 4 Nations Face-Off. McAvoy has an infection stemming from a shoulder injury, and Theodore is week-to-week with a wrist injury.
Here is a list of many of the marquee players that are currently sidelined due to injury.
Brock McGinn (LW)
Type of Injury: Torn ACL
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 12/23/24
Robby Fabbri (C)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 2/25/25
Hampus Lindholm (D)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown (expected to miss multiple weeks)
Last Played: 11/12/24
Charlie McAvoy (D)
Type of Injury: Infection
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 2/8/25
Brad Marchand (LW)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week
Last Played: 3/1/25
Justin Kirkland (C)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 11/29/25
Jesper Fast (RW)
Type of Injury: Neck
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 4/16/24
Jason Dickinson (C)
Type of Injury: Ankle
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 2/5/25
Philipp Kurashev (C)
Type of Injury: Hand
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 2/27/25
Gabriel Landeskog (LW)
Type of Injury: Knee
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 6/26/22
Erik Gudbranson (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 10/15/24
Yegor Chinakhov (RW)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 11/27/24
Sean Monahan (C)
Type of Injury: Wrist
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 1/7/25
Kevin Labanc (RW)
Type of Injury: Shoulder
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 2/4/25
Cole Sillinger (C)
Type of Injury: Shoulder
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week
Last Played: 2/27/25
Tyler Seguin (C)
Type of Injury: Hip
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 4-6 months
Last Played: 12/1/24
Miro Heiskanen (D)
Type of Injury: Knee
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Month-to-month
Last Played: 1/28/25
Nils Lundkvist (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 1/21/25
Jeff Petry (D)
Type of Injury: Undisclosed
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 1/2/25
Andrew Copp (C)
Type of Injury: Pectoral
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 2/22/25
Evander Kane (LW)
Type of Injury: Hip, hernia surgeries
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: February 2025
Last Played: 6/10/24
Trent Frederic (C)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 2/25/25
Florida Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk (LW)
Type of Injury: Groin
Injured Reserve: Yes (LTIR)
Approximate Return Date: Start of 2025 postseason
Last Played: 2/8/25
Kirill Kaprizov (LW)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 4 weeks
Last Played: 1/26/25
Joel Eriksson Ek (C)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week
Last Played: 2/22/25
Kaiden Guhle (D)
Type of Injury: Quad
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 1/28/25
Kirby Dach (C)
Type of Injury: Knee
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 2/22/25
Roman Josi (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 2/25/25
Jeremy Lauzon (D)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 12/31/24
Adam Wilsby (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 2/3/25
Zachary L’Heureux (LW)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week
Last Played: 2/7/25
Jack Hughes (C)
Type of Injury: Shoulder
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 3/2/25
Jonas Siegenthaler (D)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2-3 weeks
Last Played: 2/4/25
Mike Reilly (D)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day
Last Played: 11/1/24
Semyon Varlamov (G)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 11/29/24
Mat Barzal (C)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 1/1/25
Matt Martin (LW)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 1/16/25
New York Rangers
Adam Fox (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 2/25/2025
Chris Kreider (LW)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 2/22/25
Michael Bunting (LW)
Type of Injury: Appendix
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 2/25/25
P.O. Joseph (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 3/1/25
Logan Couture (C)
Type of injury: Groin
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 1/31/24
Torey Krug (D)
Type of Injury: Ankle surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 4/10/24
Chris Tanev (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day
Last Played: 2/25/25
Jani Hakanpaa (D)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 11/16/24
Robert Bortuzzo (D)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 1/2/25
Thatcher Demko (G)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week
Last Played: 2/8/25
Quinn Hughes (D)
Type of Injury:Undisclosed
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day
Last Played: 3/1/25
Vegas Golden Knights
William Karlsson (C)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve; Yes
Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week
Last Played: 1/20/25
Shea Theodore (D)
Type of Injury: Wrist
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week
Last Played: 1/8/25
Sonny Milano (LW)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week
Last Played: 11/6/24
New Jersey Devils fans received some disappointing news this week as it was announced that star forward Jack Hughes will miss the entire 2024-25 NHL season due to shoulder surgery. The 24-year-old center has been dealing with a nagging shoulder injury for the past few seasons, and after consulting with team doctors, it was determined that surgery was the best course of action to ensure his long-term health and performance on the ice.
Hughes, who was selected first overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, has been a key player for the Devils since entering the league. Known for his speed, skill, and playmaking ability, he has quickly become one of the team’s top offensive threats. In the 2023-24 season, Hughes recorded 65 points in 68 games, showcasing his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways.
The loss of Hughes for the entire upcoming season will undoubtedly be a blow to the Devils, who were hoping to build off their success from last season and make a push for the playoffs. However, the team is confident in their depth and ability to overcome this setback.
Injuries are an unfortunate reality in professional sports, and the NHL is no exception. With the physical nature of the game, players are constantly at risk of getting hurt, whether it be from a collision with another player, a hard check into the boards, or simply wear and tear from the grueling schedule.
As fans, it can be frustrating to see our favorite players sidelined with injuries, especially when they are as talented as Jack Hughes. However, it is important to remember that these athletes are human and need time to heal and recover properly in order to return to the ice at full strength.
While Hughes will be missed on the ice this season, Devils fans can take solace in the fact that he is in good hands with the team’s medical staff and will be doing everything in his power to come back stronger than ever in the future. In the meantime, it will be up to his teammates to step up and fill the void left by his absence as they look to continue their pursuit of success in the NHL.
