Jack Hughes week-to-week with upper-body injury
New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff announced star forward Jack Hughes is week-to-week with an upper-body injury, according to team reporter Amanda Stein.
Hughes, 21, is in the midst of a career season with 35 goals and 67 points in 50 contests.
He played 21:44 during the Devils' 5-4 overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and recorded three points in the victory, including an assist on Jesper Bratt's game-winner.
Hughes left Wednesday's practice early after taking Tuesday off due to upper-body soreness.
He was the Devils' sole representative during the All-Star Game last weekend, logging just under six minutes of ice time during the Metropolitan Division's defeat at the hands of the Atlantic.
Ruff added that he thinks Hughes' recovery timeline will be on the shorter end, given that "he's a young guy."
His absence is a major blow to a Devils team that currently holds the second-place spot in the Metropolitan with a 33-13-4 record. Hughes leads the entire league in goals above replacement (20.4) and wins above replacement (3.4), per Evolving-Hockey.
Hughes was on a nine-game point streak before the injury.
Drafted by New Jersey with the first overall pick in 2019, Hughes has 175 points in 216 career contests.