What is Jack Hughes' Injury? Devils Star Reportedly Cut Hand in 'Fluke Accident'

New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes will miss eight weeks after reportedly accidentally cutting his hand during a Thursday night team dinner.

The Devils confirmed Saturday that Hughes underwent surgery on his finger afterSportsnet's Elliotte Friedman first reported Hughes' injury.

Friedman wrote Friday that Hughes is believed to have "slipped and cut his hand, in what multiple sources are calling a 'fluke accident.'"

Losing Hughes is a major blow to the Devils, who have climbed to the top of the Metropolitan Division with a 12-4-1 season start powered by his team-high 10 goals and 20 points.

Devils forward Arseni Gritsyuk had previously posted a photo Thursday night of what appeared to be a team dinner at Chicago Cut Steakhouse.

Hughes has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, and most recently sat out the end of the 2024-25 campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery in March.

He now joins a long list of injured Devils including defenseman Dougie Hamilton and forward Connor Brown, as well as forwards Zack MacEwen and Cody Glass, who were both injured in a Wednesday matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.

MacEwen was placed on Injured Reserve Thursday, while Brown was sent there Friday in a move made retroactive to Oct. 30. AHL forwards Nathan Legare and Shane Lachance were called up in corresponding moves.

Losing Hughes and potentially Glass will test the Devils' depth down the center during Saturday's game in Washington.

Nico Hischier and Luke Glendening will both be tasked with larger workloads, while Dawson Mercer could be called on to slide over to the middle in Hughes' absence.

The Devils won't be the only ones tracking Hughes' availability this winter. He is a candidate to join his brother, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, on the U.S. Olympic men's hockey roster ahead of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

The Devils will certainly hope to have Hughes back in at full capacity by the time the final roster for the 2026 men's Olympic team is announced in early January.