The banged-up New Jersey Devils wasted no time filling an area of need ahead of the NHL trade deadline, the defending champion Florida Panthers made an under-the-radar move that could pave the way for another deep playoff run,

Vegas is reacquiring winger Reilly Smith from the New York Rangers for young forward Brendan Brisson and a 2025 third-round pick. Smith has been traded to Pittsburgh to New York and back to Vegas since helping the Golden Knights win the Cup in 2023.

New Jersey Devils leading scorer Jack Hughes had shoulder surgery and is out for the season. The team said Hughes had surgery on his right shoulder on Wednesday with the expectation that he will be ready for training camp.

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes exited his team's 2-0 loss to the Golden Knights Sunday, after a collision in the third period with Vegas forward Jack Eichel that sent him tumbling to the ice and into the boards behind the net with 1:48 remaining.