New Jersey Devils Jack Hughes On The Ice With Stick | Nearing Return?

New Jersey Devils Jack Hughes On The Ice With Stick | Nearing Return?

Welcome back Devils fans. It is your host Ace here on Running with the Devils where we are talking New Jersey Devils hockey all year long. Please hit that subscribe button, smash the like, share with a friend. Thank you very much. And there's some good news, New Jersey Devils fans. I don't know how good it is, but franchise player Jack Hughes is on the ice with a stick. [applause] Wow. I don't know when we expected to see this. He was skating without a stick last week. As we all know, the New Jersey Devils season was derailed. Unfortunately, in the most likely of ways, and that way was at a team dinner at Chicago Cut, the infamous Chicago cut. This photo will go down in history. Unfortunately, it's bad history, but whatever happened at this dinner, Jack gets cut, broken glass, and is out for eight weeks. Or at least that's the initial estimate. They did say he would be re-evaluated at 6 weeks. So this came out November 15th. Missing 8 weeks would put his return at January 15th, mid January. And the re-evaluation period would be right on the new year, the cusp of the new year, January 1st. And so as of right now, we are roughly 2 weeks away from what the original estimated evaluation period was. So maybe he's ahead of schedule, maybe he's not. But how we found out about all of this, of course, is from a sleuth. A sleuth in attendance at the Devils Conucks game. If you take a look at the video here, this was making its round on X. This is a view of Jack Hughes looking pretty good, dangling the puck, taking a shot. Again, this does not mean he's coming back anytime very soon. But it is encouraging that this is now the next step in the process to return to the New Jersey Devils who so desperately can use his services. But for those that might not be aware, this is overlooking the Devils practice rink taken from the restaurant at the Devils game. So, if you've never been to the restaurant, I highly recommend checking it out. Very nice setup. You go in, it's a whole buffet. It's an actual restaurant and then your seats are to the side of the restaurant overlooking the main rink. But on the back side of the bar in the restaurant, you can see the Devil's Practice rink and Jack Hughes was out there dancing around. Encouraging stuff. Kovasvich and Peshi were also out there as well. You could see them for a split second in the video, but hopefully all three of them are close to return. I think Peshi is kind of a wild card. We don't really know the situation with that. I'm hoping towards the end of the month or the new year. I think that was kind of in line with their initial estimates. And Kovvich is is unknown in my opinion. Again, encouraging that he's out there on the ice, but you know, skating around like this and playing in NHL games are two very, very different things. But hopefully we see all of them back sooner than later. And Jack hopefully is on track or ahead of schedule to return to the Devils because they so desperately need his help, need all the goalcoring help we can get. And he obviously will be a huge benefit in that department. So, Jack Hughes on the ice with the stick. And while the New Jersey Devils continue to struggle, my friends, two big games coming up on the road. Oh, they're big ones. At Vegas against the Golden Knights and at Utah against the Mammoth. Hopefully, the boys can find a way to win one of these. I mean, my expectations have unfortunately started to decline as the season goes out and we are just decimated with injuries. Really brutal stuff. Really brutal stuff. But two big road games. Hopefully they could win one before coming back to the rock. I'll be here with the postgame lives for those obviously late night edition for those of you staying up late. Talking New Jersey Devils hockey. In other bad news, Shimono Nemitz has been placed on IR. That one stings and the hits just keep on coming, guys. Obviously, Jack was a big one. Then Teemo has to go on personal leave. Then we find out Gritz was injured in a game. Not really sure what his status is. Hopefully we see him back sooner than later as well. And then the most recent one was Nemo. Nemo injured at practice. They originally said it was going to be sometime. That seems to be the kef kind of descriptor for longer than dayto-day is sometime. And sometime has earned him a spot on the IR. Another unfortunate blow to the Devils. Hopefully, it's not too long. But yeah, Nemits is going to be gone for a little [snorts] bit here. And the team is going to have to stay alive. We're all desperately hoping that Fitz wakes up and makes some moves to bring in some outside help. I don't have much faith that it's going to happen, but hopefully we can see this team gut out some wins like they had done at home against the Anaheim Ducks. Unfortunately, that same group followed it up with an absolute stinker against the Canucks. Poor Marky can't catch a break. I know a lot of you are down on Marky. And listen, he's struggling right now. Hopefully, he breaks out of it very soon, but he only gave up two goals. That second one was right off Dilly's stick. Super unfortunate stuff, but Marky can't seem to catch a break. Hopefully we see him with a dominant performance soon and the team could give him some goal support, but this group is going to have to go to war now. It's they're going to have to go to war. Nathan Leari has been recalled. We might see him in the lineup. Will be an interesting one for sure. I've liked his game in the past. And here we are, guys, playing a lot of minor league guys on a nightly basis due to injury. It sucks. It's unfortunate. Um it is in no way an excuse to punt on a season. Obviously, you guys know my feelings about that. But we need some outside help. We need it soon. We need some of these healthy bodies to come back. And I still, despite all of this, remain maybe delusionally optimistic about what this team could do long term, but they're going to have to win some games right now. The standings are crazy. We take a look at the standings. Obviously, going to be a dog fight all year long in the East is crazy. You look at the Atlantic and you got Tampa in first with 39 points, the Wings right there in second with 39, and the Canadians with 38. And then we go to the Metro. Oh, the Metro. What a story it has been for the Metropolitan Division this season. First place, Carolina Hurricanes, 44 points, followed by the New York Islanders. My buddy Pat is probably jacked up. Islanders looking to be relevant again. Second place in the Metro, 41 points. Third place occupied currently by the Washington Capitals. Then we get to the wild card. First wild card spot taken up by the Flyers, 38 points. Second place in the wild card is the Bruins with 38. And then you see the third place wildard team, the Penguins. I would love to see Sid get into the playoffs. You guys know I do like Sid and it would be unfortunate if he never plays in a playoff game again. I do think he's going to stay in Pittsburgh till the end of his career. And then the New Jersey Devils in fourth place in the wild card with 37 points, 561 points percentage hockey. Started off so promising, guys. We were first in the league, then we lost that spot, but we still had first in the East for a little while and then everything happened. But listen, it's close. There's still plenty of season left. I still believe this team could do something, but we need outside help and we need some of these injured guys to come back. Playing with several AHL guys on a nightly basis is obviously a formula for struggle and loss and we've been experiencing that as of late. Losing seven of nine, not going to get it done. As a result, the Devils have slid down the standings and here they are looking to find their way into a wild card spot. I'd still like to believe there's a chance they could get a top three spot in the Metro. Obviously, it's so close and a lot of people are like, "Oh, if you go on a 4-ame winning streak, you know, all these hypotheticals and like, yeah, that's all cute to say, but the team as it stands today in its current state with all these injuries and with no outside help being brought in, I mean, do you really think they're going to go on a four- game winning streak?" I'd love to see it. I'd absolutely love to see it, but the season's right there. The the standings, everything's going to be super tight. There is no reason to not make the playoffs. I know a lot of people are like, "The Devils are definitely missing the playoffs." like I can't get on board with that. I I it's a really big fear of mine and it's why I'd like to see help brought in. But I think it's right there for the taking, but they got to turn it around and it's been ugly as of late. Hopefully, like I said, they win one of these two games on the road and can win at home against Buffalo. I mean, that's a game you'd like to win, but so was the Canucks. So, you never know what you're going to get. This team consistently inconsistent. Have shown on some nights they could beat anyone. Shown on plenty of nights they could lose to anyone. and it's going to be a struggle, but hopefully they find a way get some points. Hopefully Jack is getting closer to his return and that will be a huge boost in his production. Uh, and obviously morale for the team. I think Jack coming back should lift the spirits and hopefully get these boys going in the right direction. But wow, we're going to see how it goes. But tomorrow in Vegas, a big one. And I Oh man, they're probably going to start Akira Schmid. I mean, why would they not, right? dominant shutout performance by Akir Schmidt against the Devils a couple weeks ago at The Rock and he's probably looking to complete the season sweep. We got to light him up. Light him up. But that's it, guys. Uh I said a good amount in this video. Let me know what you think about anything I said in the comments. Anything, everything New Jersey Devils hockey, you just throw it out there in the comments. I enjoy talking to most of you. Still a little depressed overall about the state of the team at the moment and the all-time fumbling of Quinn Hughes, but it is what it is. Winning cures all. go out and win. And obviously bringing in some outside help via trade would help my mental state as well because the boys need it. Even with Jack healthy, this team could use a couple pieces if they want to be a legitimate cup contender. And I really thought coming into the season they could be and they certainly looked like it during that eightame heater. Hopefully it all comes together and somehow we get back on track. It's all we got is hope folks. But that's it. It's all I got. Tons of things in the works. I'll be back soon. Thank you all for watching. I love you all. Like, comment, subscribe, and all that jazz. Until next time, friends. Let's go Devil. >> [music]

New Jersey Devils star forward Jack Hughes was on the ice with a stick on Sunday.

This is an encouraging sign that Jack is nearing a return for the NJ Devils who have struggled desperately with him out of the lineup.

After the Chicago Cut incident, the team reported he would be out for 8 weeks. (putting his return at ~January 15th)

I am hoping he is a bit ahead of schedule…

In other news Simon Nemec was put on Injured Reserve today and Nathan Legare was recalled from the Utica Comets of the AHL.

*UPDATE* Brett Pesce was practicing with this team this morning. Hopefully this means he is close to a return! He has been sorely missed.

I discuss all of this and MUCH more in this video.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

*Fanatics is having a HUGE sale on tons of Devils merchandise. ENDS SOON! Check it out:*
https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/Z69kzW

Subscribe for more Devils content to come!:
https://www.youtube.com/@runninwiththedevils?sub_confirmation=1

Follow us on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7BYmvZzdWiRfnEZzZA8RJd

Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/runninwiththenjdevils/

Follow us on X:
https://x.com/runninwithnjd

Follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Runnin-With-The-Devils/61560358358234/

Shop Fanatics:
https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/PyXnOq

Shop My Devils Favorites on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/runninwiththedevils

Cash App:
https://cash.app/$RunninWithTheDevils

Venmo:
https://venmo.com/u/RunninWithTheDevils

#newjerseydevils #jackhughes #njdevils #devils #hughes #nhl #hockey #njdevilspodcast #newjerseydevilspodcast #RWTD #runninwiththedevils #njdevilsnews #newjerseydevilsnews #brettpesce #simonnemec #johnathankovacevic