The New Jersey Devils have shut down defenceman Luke Hughes to have what the team described as a “procedure” in order to get a head start on rehabbing in the off-season.
The Devils did not disclose the nature of the procedure for the 22-year-old.
Hughes played 24:09 in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers and was a minus-1 with two shots on goal over 21 shifts.
He finishes his 2025-26 campaign with six goals and 29 assists for 35 points in 68 games, averaging a career-high 23:01 of ice time per game. He had seven goals and 37 assists for 44 points in 71 games for New Jersey last season.
The Devils were officially eliminated from playoff contention with Tuesday’s loss and fired general manager Tom Fitzgerald on Monday. The future of head coach Sheldon Keefe will be determine by the team’s new head of hockey operations, once hired.
New Jersey enters play Thursday 40-35-3 for 83 points in 78 games.
