Jack Hughes draws criticism after red carpet video involving fans leaks publicly
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Jack Hughes is facing criticism after a video showed him hurrying past fans outside Prudential Center before the Devils home opener.
Jack Hughes is drawing some heat from fans after a video from the Devils red carpet started making the rounds online.
The clip shows the star center moving quickly past fans waiting outside and heading straight into the building.
It happened Thursday ahead of New Jersey's 2026-27 home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The team held its Red Carpet Arrivals on Championship Plaza outside Prudential Center, with players walking in around 4 p.m. while hundreds of fans packed the area.
Why the clip is getting attention
Hughes is the face of the franchise and one of the most popular American hockey players since his golden goal at the Olympics in February.
So when fans are standing outside hoping for a wave, an autograph or a quick photo, a fast walk past them gets noticed.
The Devils want a louder building this season, too.
A short clip doesn't show everything, though.
Game day schedules are tight, and some players follow a strict routine.
Hughes did his talking on the ice
Once the puck dropped, Hughes made sure the night ended on a high note.
He scored the overtime winner with 1:37 left, finishing a give-and-go with Jesper Bratt for a 3-2 win, then flipped his stick into the stands.
It was his first game of the 2026-27 season.
He also skated away from an ESPN intermission interview after calling a joke about his hand injury weird, so it was a busy night for him under the spotlight.
Whether the red carpet moment is a real problem or just a clip without context is up for debate, but with Hughes, every move gets picked apart.
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