New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will skip surgery for his upper-body injury, opting instead for a rehab program. The team placed him on long-term injured reserve Wednesday, mandating he miss 10 games and 24 days. This decision follows imaging and consultations with doctors and his family, keeping him sidelined through the Olympic break.

Hughes, 22, suffered the injury during a 2-1 overtime win over the Calgary Flames on Monday while battling Justin Kirkland for a puck. He missed Tuesday's victory against Edmonton. As a cornerstone of the Devils' future, he leads the team in ice time and has 26 points in 49 games after signing a seven-year, $63 million extension.

New Jersey is managing his absence during a successful West Coast trip, having won four of its last five games. The team will monitor his rehab to determine a timeline after the break. Hughes' extended absence tests the Devils' defensive depth but gives younger players a chance to step up in his stead.