Another Big Step for Hughes | INJURY REPORT

When the Devils hit the ice for practice on Saturday, Jack Hughes was back to a regular practice jersey. This is the first time since his Oct. 19 shoulder injury that the forward has skated in a full team practice without restrictions or a no-contact jersey. Hughes participated in all drills and even spent time on a penalty kill unit during the team's special teams segment of practice.
"He's just taking the next step for us," Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said following practice. "We've got him involved in some physical contact, he's looking forward to getting closer to playing. I thought he looked great out there today. We got him some extra drills after practice so he's closer every day."

In only one and a half games, Hughes showed that he was on track for a strong third NHL season. He had two goals in the Devils season opener against the Blackhawks, including the overtime game winner. The center also had the primary assist on a goal in the first period against the Seattle Kraken. With Hughes out, it was something the Devils worked on replacing in the lineup.
"You're missing the high point scoring, high octane offense player in Jack, for along period of time, you have to adjust to that, the team has adjust and play a different way than maybe when he's in the lineup," Damon Severson said. "He definitely does a good job of pushing guys back, the defense respect his speeds and his style of play a lot more than maybe other players. That's natural if you play against a high octane player on any team.
"He's a great player, we all see it, we all see the offense. He's going to get back in there and hopefully he doesn't skip a beat from how he started the year."