Hughes registered an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Blues.
Hughes missed 10 games due to a shoulder injury. The 22-year-old defenseman is up to 27 points (eight on the power play), 106 shots on net, 40 blocked shots, 24 PIM and a minus-7 rating over 50 appearances. It's not clear if the shoulder injury was related to previous injuries that impacted him early in each of the last two campaigns, though it's a concern that he continues to deal with issues in that area. As long as he can stay healthy, Hughes should be good for top-four minutes and power-play time.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Removed from LTIR
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Hughes (shoulder) was activated from long-term injured reserve Saturday, per Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News.
In a corresponding move, the Devils returned Colton White to AHL Utica. Following a 10-game absence, Hughes should return to the lineup against St. Louis on Saturday. He has registered five goals, 26 points, 104 shots on net and 39 blocked shots in 49 outings this season.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Lands on long-term injured reserve
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Hughes (shoulder) was placed on long-term injured reserve Wednesday, retroactive to Jan. 19.
Hughes sustained the injury in Monday's 2-1 overtime win over Calgary, and he sat out Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Edmonton. He will be unavailable through the Olympic break, and an exact timetable for his return is unclear. Prior to getting hurt, Hughes had appeared in each of the Devils' first 49 games of the 2025-26 season, racking up five goals, 21 assists, 39 blocked shots, 24 PIM and 13 hits while averaging 23:04 of ice time.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Two-point effort Sunday
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Hughes picked up two assists in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Jets.
The 22-year-old blueliner had a hand in tallies by Nico Hischier in the first period and Cody Glass in the second. Hughes has gotten onto the scoresheet in two straight games, the first time he's managed that since late November, and on the season he's produced five goals and 24 points in 45 contests.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Lights lamp in loss
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Hughes scored a goal and fired five shots on net in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Vancouver.
While Sunday's contest was circled on the calendar to be a showdown between Luke and his brother Quinn Hughes before the latter was traded to Minnesota two days prior, Luke ensured that a Hughes brother found the scoresheet with his goal in the second period. He is up to three goals, 18 points, 77 shots on net and 26 blocked shots through 33 games this season. Despite New Jersey's recent struggles, the 22-year-old blueliner has played well offensively with four points and 15 shots on goal in his last five games. The third-year defenseman was also given the keys to New Jersey's power play, even with Dougie Hamilton healthy. Hughes is on track to reach the 40-point mark for the third consecutive year, and his solid category coverage, to go along with his above-average offensive play from the blue line, gives him good value in most fantasy formats.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Helper in three straight
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Hughes had an assist and blocked two shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Blues.
Hughes picked up a secondary helper on Nico Hischier's power-play tally midway through the second period. With the apple, Hughes raised his totals to 13 assists, 14 points, 48 shots on goal and 21 blocks through 23 games this season. He also extended his point streak to three games, and he has seven points in his last eight contests. The 22-year-old blueliner has taken on a sizable amount of extra ice time this season and is tracking for a career year. While Dougie Hamilton currently holds a spot on the team's top power-play unit, Hughes could end up back in that role by the end of the season if he continues to produce. Hughes might challenge 50 points for the first time in his NHL career in 2025-26.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Four assists in two games
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Hughes had two assists Saturday in a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay.
The third NHL Hughes could be the best of the lot, at least according to his older brothers Quinn Hughes and Jack Hughes. The youngest Hughes plays with the poise of a 30-year-old, and he already has four assists in two games. Hughes commands the ice and will shatter his current 47-point career mark this season. Put it on the board.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Two helpers in defeat
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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.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Secures seven-year deal
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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: 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: 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: 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: Not playing Friday
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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: 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.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Two-point effort in win
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Hughes scored an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Blue Jackets.
After helping to set up Nico Hischier for the game's opening tally early in the first period, Hughes potted New Jersey's final goal just 26 seconds into the third. The 21-year-old blueliner has caught fire since the 4 Nations Face-Off, and over the last eight games he's produced a goal and nine points. With Dougie Hamilton (lower body) lacking a timeline for his return, Hughes will be leaned on heavily down the stretch as the Devils try to lock up a playoff spot.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Adds helper in win
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Hughes notched an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Saturday's 3-1 win over Utah.
Hughes has four helpers over his last three games. He briefly left Saturday's contest after taking a hit late in the second period but finished the game with 22:42 of ice time. Hughes has done well in an increased role as the season has progressed. He's up to 26 points, 81 shots on net, 45 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating through 52 appearances this campaign.
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Devils' Luke Hughes: Provides another assist
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Hughes notched an assist, three shots on goal and two PIM in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Avalanche.
Hughes has three helpers over his last two contests, with his latest assist setting up his elder brother, Jack Hughes, for the Devils' lone goal Wednesday. The younger Hughes has earned six points and a plus-1 rating over his last eight outings as he continues to make an impact on offense. For the season, he has 25 points, 79 shots on net, 43 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating through 51 games.
