Why Is Luke Hughes Not Playing Right Now

Luke Hughes is sidelined due to a shoulder injury he sustained during the New Jersey Devils' 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs opener against the Carolina Hurricanes So why is Luke Hughes not playing? The 22-year-old defenseman underwent surgery in May 2025 and missed the remainder of the playoffs plus the start of the 2025-26 season His absence has left a significant gap on the Devils' blue line during crucial early-season games (which honestly wasn't ideal timing).

The shoulder injury and surgery

Hughes got hurt during intense playoff action in the first round matchup with Carolina. The injury required surgical intervention that took place in May 2025. Recovery from shoulder surgery typically demands several months of rehabilitation before a player can return to full-contact NHL competition. He sat out training camp and missed the opening month of the regular season while healing. The Devils initially expected him to be ready for season start, but the recovery process proved longer than anticipated. Shoulder injuries can be tricky because defensemen rely heavily on arm strength and mobility to check opponents and handle the puck efectivly.

How the Devils are managing without him

New Jersey faced serious defensive depth challenges with Hughes out. Brett Pesce and Johnathan Kovacevic also dealt with injuries, creating a perfect storm on the back end. Remaining defensemen had to shoulder extra minutes and increased responsibility. Power-play units struggled without Hughes' offensive contributions from the blue line. Penalty-kill assignments fell harder on fewer players, raising injury risk across the defensive group. The team's overall performance suffered as other defensemen rotated in and out of lineups disrupting chemistry and consistency.

What fans and fantasy players should know

Hughes won't return overnight (trust me, fans are waiting). Shoulder surgery recovery demands patience and proper conditioning before he can handle full game loads. Fantasy hockey players should avoid drafting him early in subsequent seasons following injury. His performance might dip initially once he returns due to limited minutes and adjusting to a new defensive partner. Before his injury, Hughes was on pace for roughly 50 points in a career year, logging over 21 minutes per game. Expect gradual increases in ice time rather than immediate return to his previous role. Monitor official team updates from the Devils organization for the most accurate return timeline. Once fully healthy, Hughes projects as a high-impact player for fantasy purposes and the Devils' long-term success.