Public Sports Doctor Shares Devastating Update on Jack Hughes Injury Suffered in Last Night's Game
Jack Hughes went crashing into the boards last night when his Devils played the Golden Knights, and a sports doctor has just revealed his estimated timeline.
New Jersey Devils captain Jack Hughes exited Sunday's matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights in the last few minutes of the third period after bumping into Jack Eichel and falling into the boards.
Hughes favored his right arm as he departed the ice bent over but under his own strength. New Jersey head coach Sheldon Keefe was tossed from the game a short time later and said after the game that Hughes was still undergoing evaluation.
The injury occurred on a Devils penalty kill trailing 2-0. Hughes broke out on a two-on-one with Nico Hischier. While Hischier shot on goal, Eichel's skates got tangled with Hughes, and the two players went into the boards.
Eichel immediately got up and checked on his Team USA 4 Nations teammate, while Hughes remained down for a moment before skating off.
Sports physician Dr. Harjas Grewal speculated the injury might entail a broken collarbone or separated shoulder but feared a dislocation of the shoulder given how Hughes was holding his arm.
An MRI will reveal whether Hughes can be rehabilitated or if surgery is necessary. Since this is Hughes' first right shoulder dislocation, Dr. Grewal said the probable treatment is three weeks of immobility and then rehabilitation.
Hughes could be out as long as six months, maybe more
If surgery is necessary, the recovery can be 4-6 months or more. Players often postpone surgery and resume activity but ultimately develop chronic instability and undergo the surgery later.
Vegas ultimately won the game 2-0. Hughes was called for interference early in the third period, which resulted in the first Golden Knights goal, which sealed the Devils' fate.
