Devils superstar Jack Hughes is one step closer to full recovery.
On Monday, a Devils fan page posted on X (formerly Twitter) an image of Hughes skating with a stick on the Prudential Center ice. A team source confirmed to NJ Advance Media that Hughes is, in fact, back to skating with a stick — which is a very positive sign considering his injury.
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“Good progress,” the source added.
Hughes, 24, suffered a freak injury at a team dinner in Chicago on Nov. 13. Two people with knowledge of the situation told NJ Advance Media last month that Hughes slipped and fell on a broken piece of glass at the event, leaving a gash on his finger in the process (The Fourth Period reported it was his pinkie). Hughes quickly received stitches on the deep wound. The people requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
Per a team release, Hughes underwent surgery by Dr. Robert Hotchkiss at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. The team also said at the time he’d be out eight weeks and will be re-evaluated in six.
Speaking after practice last week, coach Sheldon Keefe said the superstar was “on schedule” with his injury timeline (at the time, he wasn’t skating with a stick. Now he is).
“He’s been skating now for about a week or so,” Keefe said at the time. “No stick or puck at this point, but he’s been out on the ice, he was out there today. He’s on schedule if that makes any sense. But he’s far enough away that they don’t tell me how he’s doing. I just know what he’s up to.”
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The Devils are now outside the playoff picture and have a 6-10-0 record since Hughes’ injury. The team has faced a brutal rash of injuries, ranking third in man games lost to injury, according to NHL injury viz.