TORONTO — Days before the NHL’s All-Star Weekend, it was officially announced that Jack Hughes would be in attendance but absent as he continues to recover from an undisclosed upper-body injury.
However, the Devils’ star center expects to be back in the lineup soon.
“I think we’re pretty close,” Hughes said after the player draft concluded Thursday night. “I feel good coming out of the holidays here and I’m hoping to finish the year really strong.”
Hughes missed the Devils’ 10 games before the All-Star break.
The Devils, who are third-to-last in the Metropolitan Division, went 3-6-1 without Hughes, fueling backlash against the possibility of the 22-year-old making his long-awaited return to the ice at an NHL event.
“Obviously it’s disappointing, but it’s no one’s fault,” he said of not participating in skills competitions or competitions. “Difficult timing. Just like she did. I’m still lucky to be here with Quinn. [Hughes] There are many things like that, but of course I want to play. ”
Still, Hughes joined his brother, Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, as team captains in the player draft.
Team Hughes includes the Canucks’ Elias Pettersson, Thatcher Demko, Brock Boeser, and JT Miller, the Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov, the Jets’ Kyle Connor, the Senators’ Brady Tkachuk, the Devils’ Jesper Blatt, and the Kings’ Cam. Selected from Talbot, Ducks. Frank Batrano.
Hughes ranks second on the Devils in scoring with 15 goals and 30 assists in 32 games.
The only player he follows is Blatt. Blatt had 19 goals and 31 assists in 47 games and replaced Hughes in All-Star activity.
“Even the last three years, last year he had a great year and the year before that he burst through the door,” Hughes said of Blatt. “He’s been playing at this level for about three years, so it’s big for him to get that recognition. I’m really happy for him and it’s really well-deserved.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Salt Lake City was the most active city lobbying for a franchise.
“They’re very enthusiastic about the possibility of getting an NHL team,” he said. “They’ve made it clear they want it. Utah’s government leaders have expressed similar enthusiasm to us.”
Bettman said the NHL has also had discussions with people in Houston, Atlanta, Cincinnati and Kansas City.
“There seems to be more and more active expression of interest in putting NHL teams in places where there are no NHL teams,” Bettman noted. Uncertainty surrounding the Coyotes and their quest to find a postgame home comes after Walsh said Mallett Arena was “unacceptable” and players deserved to play at an “NHL rink.” If it’s still there, he seems to support moving the franchise. This season.
NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh expressed extreme concern and disappointment regarding the Arizona Coyotes’ arena situation, noting the Meruelo ownership group’s refusal to engage with the union.
