Hughes played his first game of the season on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings after suffering a shoulder injury in mid-September and recorded one assist in 15:11 time-on-ice. He was a game-time decision on Friday against the New York Islanders as the Devils considered easing him back into the lineup. In 2023-24, he had nine goals, 47 points, 135 SOG, 28 PIMs, and a -25 plus/minus in 82 games, finishing third place in voting for the Calder trophy.
