Former Utah Mammoth forward Nick Bjugstad is expected to miss 4-6 months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle.
The Utah Mammoth will have a familiar face watching from afar for much of the upcoming season.
Former Mammoth forward Nick Bjugstad is expected to miss four to six months after undergoing surgery last week to repair a torn left pectoral muscle, the New Jersey Devils announced Thursday as NHL training camps begin to ramp up.
Bjugstad sustained the injury during the offseason, putting a significant dent in his first season with New Jersey before he even had an opportunity to get back on the ice. The 33-year-old joined the Devils at the trade deadline last season after being acquired from the St. Louis Blues.
Before that move, however, Bjugstad spent the 2024-25 season with Utah, appearing in 66 games and recording eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points.
His time in Utah represented another chapter in a lengthy NHL career for the 6-foot-6 forward, who was originally selected 19th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2010 NHL Draft. Bjugstad has since suited up for eight organizations, including the Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, Utah, St. Louis and New Jersey.
Across 821 career games, he has accumulated 163 goals and 339 points.
Bjugstad reached the 20-goal mark twice in his career, including a 22-goal campaign with Arizona in 2023-24, while his most productive season came in 2017-18 when he established career highs with 19 goals, 30 assists and 49 points in Florida.
His offensive production has dipped considerably in recent years, though, with only 14 goals over the span following his 22-goal season. Last year was particularly difficult, as he managed six goals and nine points in 61 games between St. Louis and New Jersey after posting 19 points in Utah.
The Hockey News wishes Bjugstad a safe and successful recovery. After working to prepare for another NHL season, the veteran forward undoubtedly hopes to put this setback behind him and return to the ice as soon as his recovery allows.
