New Jersey Devils say Jack Hughes is ‘really close’ to returning from injury

TORONTO (AP) — Jack Hughes is nearing a return to the New Jersey Devils lineup after missing the past month because of an injury.

The team said Saturday that Hughes is “really close” to playing again and decided to return home to New Jersey on Friday night to begin his preparations for the second half of the NHL season. He voiced optimism about an imminent return earlier in the week.

“Hopefully I come out of the break here and feel good and can finish the year off really strong,” Hughes said.

He participated in some All-Star Weekend festivities anyway to spend time with brother Quinn of the Vancouver Canucks.

“I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to do this again with Quinn, so it definitely was important to both of us for me to come and show up,” Hughes said.

Hughes, the face of the Devils franchise and their second-leading scorer with 45 points in 32 games, has not played since suffering an upper-body injury Jan. 5. The league held out hope of him taking the ice for the All-Star skills competition and 3-on-3 tournament, but Hughes was ruled out last week.

“Obviously a bummer but no one’s fault, just tough timing and just the way she went,” he said. “Still fortunate to be here with Quinn and stuff.”

Hughes and the Devils sit five points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after reaching the second round of the playoffs last year.

JENNER’S MOMENT

A first-time All-Star at age 30, Boone Jenner scored a goal early in the 3-on-3 tournament Saturday and got to enjoy a special moment. It came in the aftermath of the Columbus Blue Jackets captain missing nearly six weeks with a broken jaw.

“I just had a blast all weekend,” Jenner said. “Happy I could I make it back in time for it. Obviously it was a tough six weeks with the jaw. I found out the news about a month ago, and I had a couple weeks left, so really something to look forward to. I was pumped to be back in the lineup with the guys, but to be able to do this, too.”

Former teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand, now with Seattle and also a first-time All-Star, was thrilled to see Jenner celebrated.

“He’s had a great career so far,” Bjorkstrand. said. “He works so hard and deserves every bit of it.”

BOWNESS REACTS TO TRADE

A day after the Winnipeg Jets acquired center Sean Monahan from Montreal, coach Rick Bowness gave the trade his seal of approval.

“We’re absolutely thrilled,” Bowness said. “He’s a very important addition to our team. He’s going to help us in an awful lot of ways. We know he’s strong on faceoffs. He’s a solid 200-foot player, which we like to play. I hear nothing but great things about his character and his work habits and being a real good teammate.”

The move gives Winnipeg a 1-2 punch down the middle of Mark Scheifele and Monahan. Scheifele has been out with injury, though Bowness expects the Jets leading scorer back — perhaps as soon as Tuesday in the first game after the break.

“Makes the coach’s job a lot easier when you’re on the bench and need a goal and he’s sitting there,” Bowness said. “He’s played a wonderful 200-foot game this year. We certainly missed him while he’s been gone offensively. It did hurt, there’s no question, but again at both ends of the ice he’s been a wonderful teammate this year, he’s a great leader.”

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