Luke Hughes has spent his NHL career building an identity around speed, and now that trait is showing up in a bigger way on the defensive side of the puck.
According to NHL Edge, Hughes has 30 bursts in the 20-22 miles per hour range, tied for the sixth-most among defensemen in the league. That kind of acceleration has always made him dangerous going the other way, but this season it’s helping him shut things down too. He gets up ice in a hurry, closes space fast, and can turn a defensive sequence into a dead end for the opponent before it really gets started.
The overtime sequence against Schaefer was a clean example of what that looks like. Hughes tracked down the Islanders defenseman and erased the scoring chance. That’s become a familiar sight for New Jersey: Hughes racing toward the puck carrier, breaking up a rush, or getting in position to disrupt a shot from the slot.
He’s still the same aggressive defenseman who loves to jump into the offense, but now the Devils are seeing how well his speed covers for those instincts. That shows up in the numbers too. Hughes has 1.4 defensive point shares, second on the Devils behind only Brett Pesce.
Pesce’s presence matters here. Young defensemen with Hughes’ offensive gifts often need a veteran partner who can clean up mistakes and teach them on the fly, and Pesce has provided that.
It’s part of why Hughes looks more comfortable this season. He needed time to learn the position, and that’s normal for defensemen.
He’s 23 and closing in on 250 games, sitting nine away after the game against the Maple Leafs.
There’s still plenty of offense in his game, too. Hughes set a career high with nine goals in 2023-24, his first full NHL season, and he already has six goals and 11 points through 18 games this year. That production reflects a more assertive approach in the offensive zone, where he’s willing to shoot and attack more often.
Puck handling remains a major part of the package. Hughes can control the pace, move the puck cleanly, and force opponents to back off. After the game against the Blues, Connor Hellebuyck said, “He's controlling the pace, he's controlling the puck, and he wants the puck on his tape,” and added, “Guys like that, they have a way of really pushing the other team back,”
That’s the bigger picture with Hughes right now. He may not be in the Norris Trophy conversation, and he’s not in the small group of generational defensemen changing the league on their own. But for a team trying to build around a true top defenseman, the Devils may have found theirs.
In Other News...
Devils May Face A Brutal Price To Chase Quinn Hughes
The idea of the Devils going after Quinn Hughes has the kind of appeal that naturally follows a team looking to strengthen its blue line, especially when a proven defenseman is the name at the center of the conversation. The speculation points to a deal built around players and draft picks, which is exactly the sort of package that can make a contender pause, even before any real talks get serious.
For New Jersey, the attraction is obvious: Hughes would fit the kind of high-end defensive upgrade that changes the look of a roster. But the cost is where the story gets complicated, because any pursuit would likely require parting with meaningful pieces the Devils would rather keep. For now, it remains a hypothetical worth watching, with no confirmed trade or official negotiation to point to yet. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Prospect Pipeline Takes Another Hit With Orlov Suddenly Sidelined
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For New Jersey, it is the latest reminder of how fragile the path can be for young defensemen overseas. Orlov had been one of the more encouraging Russian options in the system, and his absence adds to a run of injury trouble that has already affected other Devils Russian blueline prospects, thinning the organizations depth chart at a position it has been trying to cultivate carefully. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Let A Winnable Game Slip Away In Frustrating Loss
Dawson Mercer gave the Devils a lift with two goals, including the game-winner, but it was Winnipeg leaving with the points after a 4-2 result that felt there for New Jersey to take. Jesper Bratt and Cody Glass also found the net for the Devils, yet the offense never quite turned a solid start into the kind of finish that usually decides these tight games.
Kyle Connor matched Mercer with two goals of his own for the Jets, and Winnipegs ability to answer kept New Jersey from ever fully pulling away. The loss drops the Devils to 13-6-0, a reminder that even in a strong start to the season, missed chances can turn a winnable night into a frustrating one. [Read more 🡒]