Devils' Luke Hughes to undergo season-ending procedure

The New Jersey Devils are shutting down defenseman Luke Hughes for the remainder of the campaign so he can undergo a procedure and get a head start on offseason rehab, the team announced Thursday.

The Devils, who have been eliminated from playoff contention, have four games left.

The team didn't specify the nature of the injury. Hughes skated in 68 games this season, registering 35 points while averaging a team-high 23:01 per contest.

Hughes, 22, signed a seven-year, $63-million contract prior to the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

The procedure likely takes Hughes out of the running to play for the United States at the 2026 World Championship, which begins May 15 in Switzerland.