A budding superstar’s return to the lineup is on the horizon. New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes is “50/50” to return to the lineup tomorrow against the St. Louis Blues after skating in a non-contact jersey today, reports ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski.
Wyshynski adds that Hughes “wants back in,” but the team is being cautious in his recovery from an upper-body injury. A maintenance day last week quickly developed into a week-long absence, and his return comes a bit ahead of schedule after the team issued a week-to-week timeline for recovery.
The dynamic 21-year-old still sits in the NHL lead with 29 even-strength goals this season. His 35 goals, 67 points and 229 shots on goal all lead the Devils.
The middle child in the Hughes family is well above a point-per-game clip in his fourth NHL season and seems like an undeniable franchise cornerstone after the Devils selected him first overall in 2019. He had a spectacular six goals and 11 points in his last five games before sustaining the upper-body injury.
If he can’t return to the Devils lineup tomorrow, he’ll likely suit up for at least one of the team’s back-to-back home games against Pittsburgh and Winnipeg this weekend.
