Timo Meier takes leave of absence from Devils for 'family health matter'

The New Jersey Devils are off to a fantastic start in 2025/26, and even with Jack Hughes sustaining a shocking and brutal injury off the ice, they sit at 17-12-1 through their first 30 games.

While they sit in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division, they're just three points away from top spot, but now, they'll see another key piece of this forward group miss some time.

According to an official release from the Devils, veteran forward Timo Meier is set to take some time away from the team, as he deals with what the team is terming a 'family health matter'.

This season, Meier has been producing at a very high level, posting 11 goals and 23 points through 30 games, but now, he'll be out for an uncertain amount of time as the team look to continue their solid start and stay in the fight in the Metropolitan Division.

Unsurprisingly, the team and the player are looking to keep this very private to respect Meier's life away from the ice, so it's unlikely we'll get any details as to what is happening.

Ultimately though, if this Devils team is to be a genuine contender in 2025/26, they need Meier and Hughes back on the ice as soon as they can get them there, but once again, teams are showing that family and issues beyond the ice are always much more important than what's happening in the sport of hockey.