Devils’ Jack Hughes confused by awkward joke about extensive injury history

New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes had an awkward exchange with ESPN reporter A.J. Mleczko during an intermission interview on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. After Mleczko joked that Hughes should wrap himself in bubble wrap and use plastic cutlery to stay healthy, Hughes sat in silence before skating away and calling it a weird joke.

Writer Adam Gretz notes that Hughes has missed extensive playing time throughout his NHL career, including a bizarre injury that occurred during a team dinner. Gretz suggests Mleczko's comment may have been connected to past friction involving Hughes and the American women's hockey team.