The 19-year-old defenseman did not play against the Bruins but could make his NHL debut when New Jersey hosts the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday,
Hughes, selected by the Devils with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, turned pro after two seasons at the University of Michigan. The Wolverines' season ended with a 5-2 loss to Quinnipiac University in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals on Thursday.
Luke Hughes said he is looking forward to playing with Jack, 21, who is in his fourth NHL season after being selected by New Jersey with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Jack was present when Luke signed his contract.
"It's been a long time coming," Luke Hughes said Saturday. "It's been a dream of mine since I was a little kid and do it with my brother in the room and it's pretty special ... I'm really excited to be here.
"I think it's pretty cool just being out on the ice with him ... I think it's been awesome the way
and Michigan teammate Adam Fantilli said he believes Hughes is ready for the NHL.
"Absolutely," Fantilli said. "I mean, he's a special player. He's a special talent. The way he skates is pretty crazy. It's pretty effortless how fast he can get around guys and how fast he can transition the puck. He's really good on the power play. I think his goal production didn't show how well he was been playing; his point production has been great but I think he should have so many more goals based on what he's created.
"He's a great kid; I loved being around him. I think with his talent and then how he skates and how he thinks the game, he should be ready for the NHL by the end of our season."
Michigan coach Brandon Naurato has seen Hughes' playmaking ability at both ends of the ice.
"I would say Luke's grown a ton," Naurato said. "I think first and foremost as a leader, we all know what he can do with the puck, even from the first half of his freshman year, until now, Luke's always been unbelievable with his physical skills of being reactionary in regards to breaking other individual players down. I think he has more of a plan with what he's doing now and reading cues, and instead of just seeing what happens and making the decision, he's got a plan in place to beat a guy left, to go right.
"And then just as overall defending, he's always been a good defender. I think he's becoming an elite defender and using his physical attributes like his skating just to close time and space and kill plays as quickly as possible."
Hughes said there were several areas he improved on this season.
"I think I just tried to get better at everything," he said. "I managed my shifts and managed my game really well this year, playing hard in the [defensive] zone. Try to get it out, use my exits and entries as quickly as possible and then do my thing on the other side. I think it was getting more mature, getting bigger and stronger and faster."
NHL.com staff writer Mike G. Morreale contributed to this report
