Devils GM admits that Jack Hughes has to prefer to avoid another injury

When Devil's superstar Jack Hughes suffered another shoulder injury at the end of the season, fans, analysts and experts New Jersey quickly gave no chance to do a playoff run if this could be done.

The devil's crime had already declined for months, and without Hughes many asked how they would score all goals.

Although the devils fought to maintain their playoff place, they were finally removed in five games in the first round against Carolina Hurricanes. Her doubters had proven to be right, even if they played better than advertised without their franchise player.

But another doubt also arose: could Hughes ever stay healthy for a whole season to lead the devils to a Stanley Cup?

Hughes had an operation on the right shoulder for the second time in a row and missed a significant time in three of the last four seasons.

He is listed at 5-11, £ 175. It is probably out of the question that Hughes comes into question to Nico Heschier's weight (200 pounds), but Hughes must – and had to – add additional muscles for a full season.

The General Manager of Devils, Tom Fitzgerald, admitted so much during his press conference at the end of the season on Thursday.

“Nobody plays 100% of the games, but the top boys play most of the games,” said Fitzgerald. “I would like to think that Jack's shoulder injuries are now behind him, but they never know. I don't go to a squad building and think: 'Can we rely on like this and so?' Jack knows the work that lies in front of him this summer and where he has to get out of strength and body make -up.

There is no concern about Hughes' skills on the ice. In points (70) and gates (27) he was still second in the team and developed into an above -average defender in 62 games.

Hughes is an electric skater that can do things with the puck that only a few are able – but he is also a smaller player, in a league that becomes physical throughout the season and playoffs.

In his six seasons, Hughes played 368 games out of 453 games if possible. That is 85 missed games, about a whole season lost due to injuries.