The Devils will be without star forward Jack Hughes for at least one game, and it is reportedly for a unusual reason.
The Devils announced on Nov. 14 that Hughes has a non-hockey hand injury, and that an update will be provided after he is evaluated. How did this happen? Elliotte Freidman of Sportsnet provided more information.
According to Friedman, the injury occurred at a team dinner the previous night when he Hughes is believed to have “slipped and cut his hand”. He cited sources as saying it was a “fluke accident” and that Hughes is not expected to play on Nov. 15 against the Washington Capitals.
Hughes is currently pacing New Jersey with 10 goals and 20 points through 17 games this season. He is coming off of a shoulder surgery from an injury he suffered last March.
The Devils sit in first place in the Metropolitan Division, and the Eastern Conference, with 25 points.
Who is ‘Frank the Tank’ Fleming?
Hughes and his Devils teammates were not the only notable guests at the restaurant for the team dinner where the injury happened.
Frank Fleming, a popular Internet personality for Barstool Sports and a massive Devils fan, was with the team at the dinner on Nov. 14.
He is seen in a photo with the team at the Chicago Cut Steakhouse, as seen on X:
Hughes is not seen in the photo featuring Fleming, although a photo posted by Devils forward Arseny Gritsyuk at the same location shows Hughes was at the restaurant at some point.
Fleming is consistently seen commenting on the Devils on social media. Also an avid Mets fan, he went viral in 2017 for a video rant against NJ Transit after experiencing travel issues.