"What's New Jersey's biggest X-factor this season? That would be the health of Jack Hughes. Even Mike Morreale of NHL.com mentioned it as a major question for this upcoming season. The 2019 first overall pick has yet to play all 82 games in an NHL season. He did, however, play all 56 games of the shortened 2020-21 season. His season high in games was 78 in that magical 2022-23 season that saw the Devils finish with 112 points in the standings."
"The 2023-24 season would see him land on the injured list three times. First he injured his shoulder in November and would miss 16 games. That was followed by 11 games missed in January with an upper body injury. Finally, he would end the season in early April with his same nagging shoulder history. The Devils would miss the playoffs that season, with the two main reasons being subpar goaltending and the extensive injuries they dealt with."
The New Jersey Devils open their 2025-26 season against the Carolina Hurricanes, with both teams expected to be Metropolitan Division heavyweights. Carolina has made the playoffs the past seven seasons, while New Jersey reached the postseason two of the past three. The Devils' primary X-factor is the health of Jack Hughes, who has yet to play an 82-game season and posted a career-best 99 points in 2022-23. Hughes suffered multiple shoulder and upper-body injuries in 2023-24 and required season-ending shoulder surgery in 2024-25. New Jersey missed the 2023-24 playoffs due to subpar goaltending and widespread injuries. Hughes participated in training camp and is healthy for the regular season, with management noting past injuries affected both shoulders. Preseason projections had New Jersey at 102.5 points, but the team finished with 91, prompting questions about the impact of Hughes' availability on the standings.
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