New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes is on the cusp of making his return to the team's lineup after a month-long absence due to injury. The Devils announced on Saturday that Hughes is 'really close' to being ready to play and he has already returned to New Jersey to begin preparations for the second half of the NHL season.
Speaking earlier in the week, Hughes expressed optimism about his imminent return to the ice and his desire to finish the season strong. Despite not being medically cleared to participate fully in the All-Star Weekend, Hughes still took part in some of the festivities in order to spend time with his brother, Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks.
Acknowledging the significance of the opportunity to be at the All-Star Weekend with his brother, Jack Hughes said, 'I don't know when I'll get the chance to do this again with Quinn, so it definitely was important to both of us for me to come and show up.'
Hughes, who has emerged as the face of the Devils franchise, has been a key contributor to the team's offense this season, tallying 45 points in 32 games. However, he hasn't played since sustaining an upper-body injury on January 5th. There had been hope that Hughes would be able to participate in the All-Star skills competition and 3-on-3 tournament, but he was ruled out last week.
Reflecting on being unable to take part in the on-ice activities, Hughes acknowledged the disappointment but maintained a positive outlook, saying, 'Obviously a bummer but no one's fault, just tough timing and just the way she went. Still fortunate to be here with Quinn and stuff.'
With Hughes sidelined, the Devils have struggled to maintain a playoff position in the highly competitive Eastern Conference. Currently, they sit five points out of a playoff spot. Last season, the Devils made it to the second round of the playoffs, but the challenge is greater this year.
In other All-Star Weekend news, Canadian pop star Justin Bieber had the opportunity to live out a dream as he took the ice for warmups before the All-Star 3-on-3 tournament. Bieber, along with Michael Bublé, Will Arnett, and Tate McRae, served as a celebrity captain for the event. While Bieber didn't participate in the actual game, he enjoyed the experience, saying, 'It's been a minute — it's so fun, though. This is a dream.'
During warmups, Bieber interacted with several NHL stars, including reigning MVP and skills competition champion Connor McDavid, Elias Pettersson, and Sergei Bobrovsky, who jokingly asked if Bieber was actually playing. Bieber clarified that he was only skating in warmups to avoid the risk of injury.
As the NHL All-Star Weekend came to a close, fans and players alike were left anticipating the return of Jack Hughes to the Devils lineup. His dynamic presence and offensive contributions will be essential for the team's push towards the playoffs in the second half of the season.
