The 2025–26 season has proven difficult for Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils, who entered the year as strong contenders to win the Metropolitan Division and make a deep playoff run. However, the team currently ranks second to last in the Eastern Conference and trails by 10 points from a wild-card playoff spot just before the Olympic break. Injuries have significantly contributed to this disappointing position, with Hughes sidelined again due to a lower-body injury, adding to his recent upper-body issues.
During a media session on Wednesday, Hughes addressed the Devils’ struggles in a manner that did not resonate well with their fanbase. When asked about the frustrations expressed by fans who have largely given up on the season, Hughes responded without showing much concern for their disappointment.
“I honestly have nothing to say to them. For us, it’s just our group—we’ve got to figure out a way to win more hockey games. And you know, we’ve got two big games here before the break, and after the break, it’s a long time for people to refresh and gear up for a really good final 25 games. So it’s on us to find a way to win more hockey games. Like I said, it’s on us,” Jack Hughes, Superstar Center
Hughes, now 24, has performed well when healthy, accumulating 36 points (12 goals and 24 assists) in 36 games this season. He is currently in the fourth year of an eight-year, $64 million contract extension signed with the Devils in 2021.
Assessing the Future of Jack Hughes and the Devils Amid Repeated Setbacks
The current season marks the seventh year of the Jack Hughes era in New Jersey, but also the fifth season in which Hughes has missed over 20 games due to injuries. When on the ice, Hughes remains one of the most electrifying talents in the NHL and significantly influences the team’s chances. Unfortunately, his repeated absences, especially in critical moments toward the end of the season and during playoff runs, have severely impacted the Devils’ competitiveness.
Few professional teams can endure extended periods without their top player, and the Devils are no exception. Since selecting Hughes first overall in the 2019 draft, the franchise has centered its rebuilding strategy around him. However, it has become increasingly clear that the Devils struggle to thrive without Hughes’ consistent presence.
Given these circumstances, the idea of trading Hughes seems counterintuitive. Still, the organization may have to consider such options if general manager Tom Fitzgerald receives an offer that ensures greater roster stability and long-term reliability. The failure to acquire Quinn Hughes has shifted perceptions about the future, raising questions about whether sticking with Jack Hughes is sustainable if injury issues persist.
With the season nearing a critical juncture, the possibility of another injury-plagued year could push the Devils’ management to reassess their direction and evaluate alternative strategies for moving forward.
"I honestly have nothing to say to them."
Jack Hughes when asked what he’d have to say to Devils fans who have lost faith.
pic.twitter.com/Wbh3Scxvne— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) February 4, 2026
