As soon as once more, NHL followers must watch a hockey world with out the skills of Jack Hughes.
Although his profession to date within the present has been riddled by harm, this one was a “freak accident,” in line with ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, an incident that concerned getting minimize by glass at a crew dinner on Thursday. The Devils stated Friday that Hughes had surgical procedure on his finger in New York Metropolis and might be reevaluated in six weeks, whereas his anticipated restoration time is eight weeks. For Staff USA followers retaining rating, the Olympics start in about 12 weeks.
Clearly that is an unpredictable off-ice harm. However, due to Jack’s historical past with lacking important time in his profession, you may’t assist however really feel a number of feelings about it proper now, whether or not you’re a Devils fan or not.
Definitely, you are feeling for the participant — Hughes was off to a terrific begin. Ten targets and 20 factors in 17 video games. Earlier than the season, some pundits recommended this could be the season that the center Hughes brother turns into the primary Satan in NHL historical past to succeed in 100 factors in a season (and possibly even 50 targets). His private greatest stays 43 targets and 99 factors in 78 video games in 2022-23, his fourth season within the league.
By means of seven seasons, the 24-year-old has been capable of play north of 70 video games in simply that one season; shoulder and upper-body accidents flood his profession harm report.
There’s additionally, in fact, the affect on the Devils for the following two months with out their star participant. They prevailed in opposition to the Washington Capitals on Saturday, with youthful brother Luke Hughes notching a aim and help.
However contemplate the numbers prior to now 5 seasons for the Devils with and with out Jack Hughes within the lineup, as seen at proper.
Devils followers have been sincerely making the case for Hughes’ elite prowess: At his greatest, is Hughes essentially the most proficient participant within the NHL outdoors of Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon?
Placing the plain homerism apart, any hockey observer can see the best way he controls a recreation, his creativity on the ice and his elite shot.
This specific harm didn’t occur on the ice. Hughes can recuperate, keep wholesome for a few seasons, put up monster factors and the narrative will definitely change. However are we inching nearer to that unlucky “he was superb, however accidents plagued him” standing that so many high-potential hockey gamers had been slapped with, even when they did find yourself profitable Stanley Cups and going into the Hockey Corridor of Fame?
Gamers similar to Cam Neely, Peter Forsberg and Eric Lindros had been all elite forwards with many accolades and a spot within the Corridor of Fame, however restricted by accidents that prevented them from reaching even greater. That is nice firm, do not get me improper, and it is hockey — accidents inevitably occur. I simply hope that we get a protracted wholesome stretch to look at Jack Hughes excel at hockey after this newest mishap.
Bounce forward:
Video games of the week
What I cherished this weekend
Hart Trophy candidates
Social submit of the week
Stick faucets
Largest video games of the week
Clearly since I simply wrote that entire bit about Jack Hughes, I am inquisitive about how the Devils adapt to taking part in with out him.
They head to Florida subsequent, taking part in the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday and the Florida Panthers on Thursday earlier than assembly up with the Philadelphia Flyers in Philly on Saturday.
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Simon Nemec slaps in Devils shootout winner
Simon Nemec scores the profitable aim within the shootout to present the Devils 3-2 win over the Capitals.
Sunday, 7 p.m. ET | NHL Community
I am trying ahead to this matchup. With Connor Bedard and Nathan MacKinnon, the star energy is there. However these two groups are each thriving this season.
Are the Hawks for actual? A recreation in opposition to one of many West’s juggernauts is a enjoyable check for a crew like Chicago.
Different key video games this week
Monday, 7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+/Hulu
Thursday, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN+/Hulu
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Saturday, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN+
What I cherished this weekend
Friday’s NHL slate made historical past: Based on ESPN Analysis, it was the primary time for the reason that league started operation that — when at the least 4 video games had been being played– each certainly one of them went to time beyond regulation or a shootout.
As soon as Friday’s 4 video games had been determined, 282 NHL video games had been performed this season. Of that 282, 28% of them (80) went to the additional body — that is additionally the very best share at this level within the season in NHL historical past.
And on the history-making Friday night time, the history-making rookie made much more of it. One of many greatest tales of the season has been 18-year-old New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer setting data. This time, he scored his seventh aim of the season, profitable the sport for the Islanders in opposition to the Utah Mammoth, and changing into the youngest participant in NHL historical past to attain an time beyond regulation aim (and giving the Isles a four-game win streak within the course of).
On the poetic facet, earlier that day the International Sequence came about in Sweden between Erik Karlsson’s Pittsburgh Penguins and Filip Forsberg’s Nashville Predators. With 70 seconds left and the Preds down a aim, Forsberg scored to tie it up, getting an unbelievable response from the followers in Stockholm. Forsberg’s teammate Steven Stamkos scored the time beyond regulation winner, giving the Swedish followers one other alternative to cheer.
Hart Trophy candidates if the season ended in the present day
Nathan MacKinnon can’t be denied. Now with 33 factors and 14 targets, he leads the league in each classes outright. He stays on the Hart Finalist record.
Final week it was enjoyable to place Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini in as finalists, as a result of they had been 1-2 on the factors record at one level final weekend. However since that is now not the case, they’re each on the surface trying in. As a substitute, I’ll tip my cap to a different younger standout, Leo Carlsson. He may have simply been a Hart Finalist final week too — the “three younger superstars” angle would have been an excellent one in hindsight. So to rectify it — and to curry favor with all of the Geese followers that flooded my mentions as a result of I left Carlsson out — he is getting a Hart Trophy finalist nod this week. Uncle Leo is in!
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Leo Carlsson tallies aim vs. Avalanche
Leo Carlsson tallies aim vs. Avalanche
I am keeping track of Logan Thompson as a result of he is nonetheless sitting at a .925 save share regardless of the Capitals being 4 factors out of the playoff spot. However, Connor McDavid has eight factors this week and is now second behind MacKinnon. And for those who had been to guess, Mac and Mc would positively be straightforward picks to be Hart Trophy finalists on the finish of the season.
Nevertheless it’s not the top of the season. And there is loads of time to throw flowers at McDavid (like when he most likely inevitably takes over the factors race lead). We’ve not had a goalie in right here for some time, so I need to shine a highlight on a tendy. Why not, it is my record in spite of everything! Spencer Knight positively deserves it. He has a .924 save share, 7-3-3 document, and the Blackhawks are in a playoff place. This week, Spencer Knight is a Hart Trophy finalist!
For the document, I do not subscribe to the “goalies have their very own award” chatter. Connor Hellebuyck received simply final 12 months, and Igor Shesterkin ought to completely have a Hart Trophy in his cupboard earlier than he retires.
Social media submit of the week
Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Elvis Merzlikins has a brand new masks design, and it is Sonic the Hedgehog-themed. Nothing else must be stated. You win the week, good sir.
Elvis Merzlikins’ new masks 🔥🔥 #cbj pic.twitter.com/PaOgEy8NOu
— Sarah (@sarah____kent) November 15, 2025
Stick faucets
Stick faucets to Sarah Thompson, who received a CHA championship at Syracuse, in addition to under-18 World Championship gold with Canada. Final season, whereas taking part in for St. Lawrence, Thompson was awarded the 2025 Hockey Humanitarian Award, given yearly to “school hockey’s best citizen,” recognizing a student-athlete making important contributions to each crew and group as a volunteer.
Thompson based Sticks Collectively, a company that goals to present youngsters the chance to study to play and love hockey in deprived areas of the world. Up to now, Thompson has introduced sticks, nets and pucks to Kenya, the Philippines, South Africa and Argentina. Thompson’s instant aim is to return to Kenya to bridge the hole between ice and road hockey — to skate with the Ice Lionesses and train road hockey in ladies’ personal faculties round Nairobi.
“I hope that we are able to encourage extra ladies to play for the Lionesses and additional develop the gamers in this system,” Thompson advised ESPN.
As for the long-term imaginative and prescient for her program?
“To create a world community of women’ and ladies’s hockey packages the place entry to the sport means entry to schooling and alternative,” Thompson replied. “Hockey gave me the chance to go to college on a scholarship and construct a profession of my goals, and I hope to create these alternatives for women all over the world.”
