Jack Hughes Out Eight Weeks with Finger Injury, Devils Eye Trade Options to Fill Star Center's Void

New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes will miss eight weeks after undergoing finger surgery for a "freak accident" suffered at a Thursday team dinner. He is expected to be re-evaluated in six weeks and return around the eight-week mark, likely mid-January. This is a significant blow for the Devils, who are 12-4-1 and leading the Metro Division, especially as Hughes was on pace for 96 points and looked fully healthy. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald is expected to be aggressive in seeking a replacement, as the team's center depth is significantly weakened beyond Nico Hischier. Potential trade targets include Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames, Ryan O'Reilly of the Nashville Predators, and possibly Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks, with salary retention likely needed for Kadri and Pettersson. The goal is to maintain the division lead and potentially boast the NHL's best center depth upon Hughes' return.