Jack Hughes left the Devils’ game against the Predators after playing four shifts. Ishika Samant / Getty Images
Jan. 29, 2026Updated 10:27 pm EST
Jack Hughes left the New Jersey Devils’ game against the Nashville Predators during the first period Thursday night, less than two weeks before the men’s ice hockey tournament begins at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Hughes, 24, is on the Team USA roster. He also had one assist in four games for the U.S. during last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, where the Americans lost in overtime of the championship game. The U.S. has already had to replace one player on its Olympic roster, subbing Anaheim’s Jackson LaCombe for injured Florida defenseman Seth Jones.
During the Predators game, Hughes went down the tunnel followed by a team trainer four minutes into the game. He returned later in the period and skated one shift before heading down the tunnel again. He did not return, playing only three shifts for two minutes and 27 seconds of ice time.
Hughes has 36 points in 35 games this season. He missed 18 games in late November and early December after cutting his hand in a freak accident at a team dinner, and missed 20 games in each of the last two seasons.
The Devils were already without defenseman Luke Hughes and winger Stefan Noesen, who are on long-term injured reserve, and center Cody Glass, who was injured in Tuesday’s game against Winnipeg.
Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game that Hughes has a lower-body injury that is not expected to be serious. He will be evaluated again tomorrow to determine his availability for the team’s upcoming trip to Ottawa.