Jack Hughes not expected to skate before NHL all-star break
As per New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff, superstar forward Jack Hughes is not expected to skate before the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, meaning he will ultimately be unavailable.
Hughes was injured on Jan. 5, 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, going down awkwardly while carrying the play into the offensive zone.
On Jack Hughes Lindy Ruff says he does not expect Jack to skate before the All-Star Break. #NJDevils
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) January 22, 2024Before the injury, Hughes was on a five-game point streak, scoring a goal and six assists over that span. In 32 games, he has tallied 15 goals and 30 assists for 45 points, just under his pace that led a 99-point 2022-23 campaign.
Hughes’s injury adds to the laundry list that the Devils are currently dealing with which sees Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, Tomas Nosek, Ondrej Palat and Brendan Smith all out with injuries.
Meanwhile, Devils’ defenseman Colin Miller is out with illness and will not suit up for tonight’s game against the reigning Stanley Cup Champions Vegas Golden Knights. The 31-year-old has two goals and five points in 25 games this season while averaging 17:00 minutes of time on the ice.
Colin Miller is sick and will not be able to play tonight says #NJDevils Lindy Ruff.
Hatakka will make his debut for New Jersey tonight.
Devils defenseman Santeri Hattaka will make his NHL debut tonight against Vegas. The 23-year-old Finnish defender has tallied two goals and seven assists for nine points in 28 games this season in the AHL. The San Jose Sharks originally selected Hatakka, he played nine NHL games with the Sharks during the 2021-22 campaign. Hatakka was a part of the package sent to New Jersey in the Timo Meier blockbuster trade.
New Jersey currently sits sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a 23-18-3 record and 49 points through 44 games.