New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes wasn't thrilled with a joke made by ESPN analyst AJ Mleczko during their interview in the first intermission of Thursday's season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Mleczko made reference to a 2025 team dinner at which Hughes reportedly slipped and cut his hand. He needed surgery and missed 18 games with the injury last season.
"Well, it's great to see you healthy. Let's wrap you in bubble wrap and use plastic cutlery this year. Does that sound good?" Mleczko asked.
"I mean, I think that's a weird joke midgame," Hughes responded and abruptly ended the interview.
Welp that was awkward pic.twitter.com/surGRvDYtu
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) October 1, 2026
Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime to give the Devils a 3-2 victory over the Flyers.
The 25-year-old recorded his third straight 27-goal campaign last season.
