What happened: Hughes created early rebound and net-front chances in Colorado's opener, including a scramble that ended with Drew Doughty's cross-check and a 5-on-3. He also absorbed a costly lesson when Joel Armia lifted his stick on a zone exit and turned the turnover into a shorthanded goal.

Why it matters: The night showed why Colorado is giving him a look for the 2026-27 roster: the scoring instincts were there even when the pace was not. Nathan Mackinnon and coach Jared Bednar both pointed to the same adjustment, with Hughes needing to make his reads faster against NHL size and pressure.

What to watch: The next read is whether Hughes keeps his spot and turns those interior chances into his first NHL goal. If the puck continues to find him around the crease, the comfort level should follow quickly.