Concern over projected #1 pick Jack Hughes.

The United States have suffered a big loss ahead of their upcoming match up against Sweden at the 2018 World Junior Championship.

According to a report from the Canadian Press Team USA will be without star forward Jack Hughes this evening when they face off against Sweden due to the fact that Hughes is dealing with some form of an undisclosed injury. The news has reportedly been confirmed by Mike Hastings, who is currently coaching the American squad, although Hastings would not go into any details regarding the nature of Hughes' current injury. Hastings would go on to add that he feels Hughes is making progress, but that is such a vague comment that it could effectively mean anything or nothing at all.

"He’s getting better every day," Hastings said as per the Canadian Press. "He’s progressing every day and we’re trying to make sure we’re going to have him as healthy as he can be when we need him to be. Today’s not that day."

Hughes had previously played in the tournament and currently has 1 goal and 1 assists, stats that helped propel the United States to the top of Group B, but this game against Sweden will likely determine which of these two teams walk away with the top spot in their group. Obviously given Hastings' very vague response it's impossible to tell how much longer Hughes might be out or whether or not he will even return for this tournament. 

Hughes not only has his country to represent but he also has his long term future to think of as far as this injury is concerned. In most scouting reports he is currently a lock to be the top player selected in the 2019 National Hockey League Entry Draft and there has been no indication that anyone is on the verge of overtaking him. That being said this tournament would have been an excellent showcase for his talents and you have to wonder if his current injury may not impact his draft stock moving forward.

The severity of this injury as well as how much Hughes actually gets to play in this tournament will likely determine how much teams weigh this in their evaluations of him.