New Jersey Devils’ 2026-27 Player Projections: Luke Hughes

Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

New Jersey Devils’ 2026-27 Player Projections: Luke Hughes

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Jess Amato | Last updated Sep 27, 2026 10:35 AM ET

The New Jersey Devils are facing a ton of pressure heading into the 2026-27 season. They have a strong team, but last season, they crumbled and missed the postseason after a solid start. The Devils are determined to not let that happen again.

Each player has a role to fill, and as we gear up for the season, we can start predicting how each player will perform as we continue our Devils’ player projections, now looking at the defense. Next up is Luke Hughes.

2025-26 Performance

In the 2025-26 season, Hughes played in 68 games and recorded 35 points via six goals and 29 assists. His time in the 2025-26 season was cut short due to a shoulder injury he faced in January. Hughes returned to the ice on Feb. 28 but didn’t get to finish out the season to start rehab on his shoulder early.

In the Devils’ season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes, Hughes recorded two assists, making him the only player on the Devils to have a multi-point game. He recorded two assists in their next game against the Tampa Bay Lightning as well. It wasn’t until a month later, on Nov. 15, that Hughes scored his first goal of the season.

Expectations for 2026-27

Heading into the 2026-27 season, the expectation for Hughes will remain the same as it has been for his entire career: keep the blue line strong. Last season, he was paired with Brett Pesce on the second defensive pairing. Unfortunately, Pesce suffered from injury in 2025-26, keeping him off the ice for a majority of the season. When Pesce was out of the lineup, Hughes’ defensive partner flexed between Brenden Dillon and Johnathan Kovacevic.

With both Pesce and Hughes coming off of an injury last season, the pair will want to play the best hockey they can play for the Devils in 2026-27. They’re coming into the season with strong expectations for their performance, which will only help each other in the long run.

As the two players continue to play on the same defensive pairing, they will want to bring out the best in one another and keep the Devils’ blue line strong. It’s unfortunate both players faced injury in 2025-26, but it will bring out the best in them for their 2026-27 performance.

Upcoming Milestones

Heading into the 2026-27 season, Hughes could reach his 300th NHL game in the event he remains healthy. He already has 223 games under his belt, and if he plays in all 84 this season, he will finish out the season with 307 total NHL games.

Hughes just reached his 100th assist at the end of last season. He only has 23 goals in his career, so his next goal and assist milestone is unlikely. Hughes also has 128 total points in his career. Based on his previous performances, it also seems unlikely that he will crack 200 total points.

Projections for 2026-27

My bold prediction for Hughes is that he will have another 40-plus point season. He had one in 2023-24, when he recorded 47 points, and in 2024-25, when he recorded 44 points. Last season, he only managed to reach 35 points, but he also missed several games due to injury. Heading into 2026-27, Hughes will want to prove himself to the Devils again this season. He will want to have a strong performance, and another 40-plus point season as a defenseman will have him do just that.