With Nils Lundkvist (illness) out of the lineup on Thursday, Dallas will welcome Hughes back in as they return to a six-defenseman, 12-forward formation. The 29-year-old Hughes made his season debut last earlier this month, his third career NHL game, playing 6:34 time-on-ice.
Hughes made his Dallas Stars debut in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins, his third career game, but he will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. Defenseman Kyle Capobianco will enter the lineup as Hughes' replacement, suggesting the Stars intend on using an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation on Thursday.
With Michael Bunting (lower body) out of the lineup, Hughes will draw in for his team debut. Hughes was a sixth-round pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft that has spent most of his career in the AHL. The 29-year-old forward has an impressive 66 points (16G / 50A) in 63 games this season with the Texas Stars (AHL).
Hughes was a sixth-round pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft that has spent most of his career in the AHL. The 29-year-old forward has an impressive 66 points (16G / 50A) in 63 games this season with the Texas Stars (AHL).
Hughes spent 2023-24 with the Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL) and earned himself a one-year, two-way contract with Dallas on Monday. The 27-year-old winger has surpassed 40+ points in each of his last three AHL seasons and had 25 goals and 57 points in 69 games with Coachella in 2023-24.
Hughes spent the first five years of his career in the Bruins' organization after being a sixth-round pick in 2015. He's only appeared in two NHL games since, but led Providence (AHL) in scoring with 45 points (14G / 31A) in 59 games last season.
Hughes was a sixth-round pick back in 2015 and it appears as if he will make his NHL debut on Monday night. The 5-foot-11, 175 lbs. forward has six points (2G / 4A) in 13 games with Providence so far this season and skated on a line with Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner at the morning skate. Peter Cehlarik was sent back to the AHL to make room for Hughes, who will effectively replace David Backes (upper-body) in the lineup.
