Hughes collected two assists, two shots, two hits and two PIM in Thursday's 6-3 loss to Carolina.
Despite not playing in the preseason due to a contract dispute, Hughes is off to a strong start from an offensive perspective, and he also saw 20:46 of ice time in the season-opening defeat. The 22-year-old defenseman has a lot to live up to after signing a seven-year, $63 million contract earlier this month, but if Thursday's performance is any indication, Hughes could be on his way to shattering his high-water mark of 47 points, which he set during his first full season in 2023-24. The 2021 first-round pick is skating on the top pairing in addition to quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play group.
Hughes agreed to terms on a seven-year, $63 million contract with New Jersey on Wednesday.
Hughes and the Devils were finally able to resolve the contract dispute that kept the defenseman out for the entirety of the preseason. It's possible the 22-year-old New Hampshire native will still see action against the Flyers on Saturday in the preseason finale. Hughes has reached the 40-point threshold in each of his first two full NHL seasons and shows no sign of slowing down heading into 2025-26.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Remains unsigned
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Hughes isn't with the Devils for the start of training camp because he's still a restricted free agent, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports Thursday.
Hughes is looking for his first big payday after completing his three-year, entry-level deal. He recorded 47 and 44 points during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 regular seasons, respectively. As long as his contract dispute is settled in time for the start of the regular season, Hughes is expected to open the campaign on New Jersey's top four and receive significant power-play ice time.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Undergoes shoulder surgery
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The Devils announced Monday that Hughes recently underwent successful shoulder surgery and is expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp this fall.
Hughes made 71 regular-season appearances this year and recorded seven goals and 37 assists while averaging 21:09 of ice time. However, he sustained an injury during the team's playoff opener and was unavailable for the remainder of the first round. He'll face a recovery process during the offseason but should be ready for the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Unavailable for Tuesday
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Hughes (upper body) won't play in Game 5 against Carolina on Tuesday, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Hughes will miss his fourth straight game after getting injured in New Jersey's playoff opener. The 21-year-old defender had seven goals, 44 points, 121 shots net and 60 blocked shots across 71 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season. With Hughes, Brenden Dillon (lower body) and Johnny Kovacevic (undisclosed) unavailable for Game 5, Brian Dumoulin, Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce and Jonas Siegenthaler will likely continue to log heavy minutes in a must-win matchup for the Devils. The Hurricanes hold a 3-1 series lead and can advance to Round 2 of the postseason with a victory in Tuesday's contest.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Won't play Sunday
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Hughes (upper body) will not play Sunday in Game 4 against the Hurricanes, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
It'll be the third straight game Hughes has missed in the series. With Hughes and Brenden Dillon (lower body) ruled out and Johnny Kovacevic's (undisclosed) status still unclear, the Devils will probably lean on Brian Dumoulin, Brett Pesce, Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler in Game 4.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Still sidelined versus Canes
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Hughes (upper body) will remain on the shelf for Game 2 against Carolina on Friday.
Hughes' absence, along with that of Brenden Dillon (lower body), will stretch the Devils' defensive corps -- though Jonas Siegenthaler (lower body) looks poised to return Friday. The 21-year-old Hughes is currently mired in a six-game goal drought but has contributed three helpers, including two with the man advantage, over that stretch.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Won't be an option Tuesday
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Hughes is contending with an upper-body injury and will not be available Tuesday against Carolina in Game 2.
Hughes was nicked up in Game 1, though he was able to finish the contest, logging two shots, one block and a minus-1 rating in 22:20 of ice time. The Devils will also be without Brenden Dillon (lower body) on the blue line Tuesday, so Dennis Cholowski and Simon Nemec will suit up and make their postseason debuts. Hughes will look to be ready for Game 3 on Friday in New Jersey.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Back in lineup
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Hughes (rest) will return to action for Game 1 in Carolina on Sunday, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.
The Devils rested all their top players Wednesday against Detroit as the game was meaningless as far as the regular season was concerned. Hughes had seven goals and 37 assists in 71 regular-season contests this season. He will likely be demoted to the second power play during the playoffs as Dougie Hamilton (lower body) returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing 18 games.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Won't play vs. Detroit
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Hughes (rest) won't play in Wednesday's regular-season finale versus Detroit, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.
Hughes will presumably return to the lineup for Game 1 of New Jersey's first-round series against Carolina. He'll finish the regular season of his sophomore campaign with seven goals and 44 points in 71 outings. That's close to his 47-point showing in 2023-24 despite playing in fewer games -- he logged 82 in 2023-24 -- and seeing a major drop in power-play ice time -- he averaged 1:38 this season compared to 3:27 as a rookie.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Adds pair of helpers
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Hughes notched two assists, including one on the power play, in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime win over the Bruins.
Hughes has racked up a goal and five helpers over his last seven contests. The 21-year-old may see a reduction in power-play time once Dougie Hamilton (lower body) returns. Hughes has put together a strong campaign with seven goals, 44 points, 121 shots on net, 60 blocked shots and a minus-9 rating over 71 outings while filling a top-four role most of the time.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Two-point effort Monday
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Hughes produced a goal and an assist in Monday's 3-2 shootout win over the Wild.
The 21-year-old blueliner opened the scoring midway through the first period before having a hand in a Nico Hischier tally in the third. It was Hughes' sixth multi-point performance in his last 13 appearances -- a stretch in which he's racked up two goals and 15 points, including eight helpers on the power play.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Will make return Saturday
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Hughes (groin) will draw back into the lineup Saturday, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.
Hughes missed Friday's 4-0 loss to the Jets due to the injury. He has six goals and 38 points in 64 outings in 2024-25. Now that he's back, Hughes is likely to serve in a top-four capacity and on the first power-play unit. Dennis Cholowski will be a healthy scratch.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Game-time call
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Hughes (groin) will be a game-time decision Saturday versus Minnesota, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.
Hughes was held out of Friday's 4-0 loss to Winnipeg because of the injury. He has six goals, 38 points, 100 shots, 18 hits and 58 blocks in 64 outings in 2024-25. Dennis Cholowski will probably be a healthy scratch Saturday if Hughes is able to return.
Hughes (lower body) won't play Friday for precautionary reasons.
The precautionary wording suggests Hughes' injury isn't significant, but the Devils don't want to push him. Dennis Cholowski will join the lineup in place of Hughes, who should be considered day-to-day for Saturday's game in Minnesota.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Three helpers in Wednesday's win
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Hughes delivered three assists, two on the power play, in Wednesday's 5-3 win over Chicago.
The 21-year-old continues to thrive as the Devils' No. 1 defenseman in the absence of Dougie Hamilton (lower body). Hughes has five multi-point performances in 11 games since Hamilton was lost for the season, racking up a goal and 12 points over that stretch with seven of his helpers coming on the power play.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Provides pair of helpers
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Hughes notched two assists, four shots on goal and four blocked shots in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Senators.
Hughes helped out on Nico Hischier's power-play tally in the second period and Erik Haula's goal late in the third. The 21-year-old Hughes also led the Devils with 26:37 of ice time, his third-highest total this season. The defenseman has 10 points over 11 outings in March, and he's up to 35 points (11 on the power play), 98 shots on net, 58 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating through 62 contests overall.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Two points against Pens
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Hughes picked up two assists, one on the power play, in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Penguins.
He had a hand in tallies by Cody Glass in the first period and Nico Hischier in the third. The 21-year-old blueliner has embraced his new role as the Devils' top defenseman since Dougie Hamilton (lower body) was lost for the season, and over the last six games -- including the one in which Hamilton got hurt -- Hughes has produced a goal and seven points, including four assists with the man advantage.
