Devils Notebook

Devils Notebook: Jack Hughes’ Status; Jacob Markstrom Update; Time Heals Most Wounds

Head coach Sheldon Keefe reveals Jack Hughes will play in the Devils’ first game back from 4 Nations, Nico Hischier is also confirmed to be in the lineup vs. the Stars.

Published

2 months ago

February 22, 2025

James Nichols

Credit: New Jersey Devils

NEWARK—For a second, it looked like the New Jersey Devils were going to skate without Jack Hughes on Saturday morning. However, the superstar forward stepped on the ice a smidge late, and skated with the team as a full participant before their tilt with the Dallas Stars.

Despite playing at the highly skilled, physically taxing 4 Nations tournament, Jack Hughes is going to play against the Stars after participating in the championship game on Thursday with Team USA.

The Devils will also play on Sunday in a back-to-back situation against the Nashville Predators. Hughes is expected to play in both games and his minutes won’t be limited, but Keefe did make it a priority to note there will be time for Jack to get some rest.

“When Jack’s in the lineup, he wants to play. And as a coach, you want to play him,” Keefe started. “He made the decision to come in here and be with the group this morning, and he’s excited to get going. We’ll find time to get him some rest. It’s a back to back situation, but we got one game in five days coming out of this back to back. So we’ll find time to get him rest after this.”

In fact, all the players who attended the 4 Nations Face-Off over the last two weeks were on the ice. Jesper Bratt and Erik Haula took their usual spots in the lineup for morning drills.

Nico Hischier, who has been dealing with an oblique injury, was also out there as a full participant. On Friday, Devils head coach and Hischier himself both explained it was likely that the captain would play when the Stars arrived in Newark.

That was confirmed on Saturday morning, as it looks like Hischier is 100% for the crucial 25 games to close out the regular season.

Time has healed most wounds. Hischier and Haula are back, which certainly has the forward group looking a bit more full. The only players missing now are Jonas Siegenthaler and Jacob Markstrom.

The latter has been on the ice over the last few days, starting practices with the Devils by taking a few shots, and then heading off the ice early while the rest of the team practices.

Keefe revealed that Markstrom is ramping up his practices, and will travel with the team on their upcoming road trip. That’s a positive sign his return is imminent.