New Jersey Devils Can Only Survive Without Jack Hughes
By Nick Villano
The New Jersey Devils have played 12 games without Jack Hughes. He was injured in the second game of the season after he was dropped on his shoulder against the Seattle Kraken. He suffered a separated shoulder, and the Devils learned they would have to be without their star center until at least the middle of December. It really put a damper on the start of an exciting season.
The worry here was the Devils going into the tank without Hughes. They were already without both its goalies at the time. They were also without Miles Wood and Ty Smith. Dougie Hamilton missed a few games along the way. The injuries were piling up, but none was as important as Hughes.
Since Hughes went out, the Devils have gone 5-4-3. It’s not a great record by any means, but it’s definitely isn’t something Devils fans should be too worried about. This team is surviving without Jack Hughes, and that’s all we can really ask them to do.
Dawson Mercer has been the team’s star in Hughes’ absence. He has 11 points in 14 games so far and he’s currently on a four-game point streak. He’s also been getting more ice time. Against the New York Rangers, he was on the ice for 19 minutes for the first time in his NHL career. Lindy Ruff is trusting Mercer more, and there’s a reason why. He’s been undoubtedly great.
Nico Hischier has been driving the best line on the team since Hughes has been out. Hischier and Pavel Zacha has paired with a few different wingers, and that line always seems to excel. Whether it’s Alex Holtz, Tomas Tatar, or Jesper Bratt, wingers play better when they are with Hischier and Zacha.
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The Devils survival skills have shown themselves against the Rangers and Kings. Zacha was incredibly clutch in both games to salvage a point by scoring with less than three minutes left in the game both times. The Devils lost in overtime, but every point is important in the Metropolitan Division.
The Devils are currently sitting in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division. It’s way too early to be looking at the standings too closely, but the fact the Devils are able to stay afloat without Hughes is a testament to the rest of the roster. Nobody in this division is playing below its talent level. Everyone is above hockey .500. The division is the best in hockey, and somehow the Devils see themselves in a “playoff spot” 14 games into the season.
If the Devils can stay here when Hughes returns, that would be a huge boost for this franchise. He could be the key to actually taking this team to the playoffs.