The New Jersey Devils will be losing one of their best defencemen for quite some time.
The team has placed defenceman Luke Hughes on the Long-Term Injury Reserve, retroactively to Jan. 19, the team announced on Wednesday.
Hughes left Monday's contest midway through the second period with an apparent shoulder injury and did not return.
The 22-year-old appeared to suffer the injury when Calgary forward Justin Kirkland tugged on his jersey while chasing the puck out of the Flames' zone, causing Hughes to pull up in pain and go straight to the bench.
After the game, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that he dislocated his shoulder. Head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated Hughes would need more testing before a full timeline for his return could be set.
Hughes is currently leading all defencemen on the Devils with 26 points through 49 games. He ranks fifth on the team in scoring.
In a corresponding move, New Jersey has recalled defenceman Colton White from Utica of the AHL. He will meet the team in Vancouver as they get ready to face the Canucks on Friday night on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
