The Devils are off to a fast 2-0-0 start to the young season, but they will now be without one of their brightest young stars for the time being.
Jack Hughes, the team’s former No. 1 overall pick who left Tuesday night’s game after being checked into the boards, suffered a dislocated left shoulder and has been placed on injured reserve, the team announced Thursday.
Hughes was hit hard by Seattle defenseman Carson Soucy in Tuesday night’s victory, and didn’t return to play, and while he will not require surgery, he won’t be evaluated again until next week to determine how long he will be sidelined.
“It’s bad, but it probably could have been worse,” Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said.
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Michael McLeod will like center New Jersey’s second line in Hughes’ absence.
The 20-year-old Hughes netted two goals in the team’s season-opening win against Chicago last week, including the nifty game-winner in double overtime, and logged an assist on Tuesday night before having to leave the game.
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