New Jersey Devils defensemen Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce are expected to make their season debuts against the host Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.

Hughes, 21, injured his left shoulder last month in offseason training and was expected to be out six to eight weeks.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely been a long time coming and really excited for tonight and get back into the rhythm of things,” Hughes said Thursday.

Pesce, 29, signed a six-year, $33 million free-agent contract with the Devils on July 1. He was recovering from offseason surgery after fracturing his fibula in the playoffs last season with the Carolina Hurricanes.

“Yeah, just excitement,” Pesce said Thursday. “I haven’t felt these nerves for a while for … it feels like it’s my first game.

“Just exciting for myself and new team … I’m ready to go to battle with the boys.”

Hughes posted 47 points (nine goals, 38 assists) in 82 games in 2023-24, making the All-Rookie Team and being named a finalist for the Calder Trophy.

Drafted No. 4 overall in 2021, Hughes made his NHL debut in 2022-23 and tallied one goal and one assist in two games.

Pesce spent nine seasons with the Hurricanes, who selected him in the third round of the 2013 NHL Draft. He had 39 goals and 159 assists with a plus-92 rating in 627 regular-season games, along with five goals and 16 assists in 57 playoff games.

Last season, Pesce recorded three goals and 10 assists in 70 regular-season games, and one assist in two postseason contests.

–Field Level Media