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New Jersey Devils Have a Superstar in Jack Hughes

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Jack Hughes is a superstar, plain and simple. It was only a few years back when he fought the “bust” allegations, yet here we are. After a few years of finding his way, the undersized American drafted right out of the USNTDP first overall is here. It’s unfortunate for the common viewer who doesn’t watch New Jersey Devils games regularly because if they did, they’d see that Jack Hughes is box office, must-see TV.

Jack Hughes is a Superstar

Jack Hughes broke out to the mainstream NHL last season after a 99-point campaign. However, Devils fans will tell you that the breakout happened a year prior in 2021-22. After a poor rookie season and a subpar sophomore one, year three was when heads began to turn. Hughes turned in a 56-point season in just 49 games and began his offensive dominance that year. He looked stronger on pucks and could generate offence at a high clip. The 2021-22 season saw his Goals Above Expected jump from -1.7 to 7.8, and Expected Goals go from 0.71 to 1.14.

Last season saw the emergence of Jack Hughes on the national scale. The Devils were a playoff team largely due to the performances of Hughes. He then went on to prove that despite his small frame he was built for playoff hockey. His 11 points in 12 games led the team as they took down the New York Rangers in round one. In addition, his 99 regular season points set a New Jersey Devils franchise record. However, what set Jack on a collision course with stardom was the swagger and confidence he plays and walks around with. Jack Hughes dares to do what so many others wish they could on the ice. The puck is on a string and he glides effortlessly on the ice like only a few can. It’s an old-timer’s adjective, but the kid is a live movie.

Historic Start to the Season

Now here we are at the start of the 2023-24 season, and no player has been better than Jack Hughes. Not Connor McDavid nor Auston Matthews. It’s Jack Hughes at the mountain top by himself. The list of players with as many points as him through six games to start the season consists of two men: Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Currently, he has a point in every game to start the season, all but one being multipoint efforts. In addition, 17 of Hughes’s 18 points to start the season have all been primary points. Oh, and not to mention that he leads the entire NHL in points and assists. We’ve seen players jump out to hot starts before, but what Hughes is doing is comparable to only the greats like Gretzky and Lemieux. Early returns show he is in for a historic season.

The Sky is the Limit

Last year showed us that Hughes can be consistently elite throughout the season. His start to this season has shown us that he has another gear to his game. For the Devils, if those two can merge then a potential Hart trophy may be waiting for him. Currently, he’s on pace for a 210-point season. Hughes is good, but not that good. However, a realistic target should be somewhere in the 115 to 120-point range. Calling 120 points a realistic target seems asinine, but that’s where we are with Hughes right now. He’s shown no signs of slowing down, and with the team’s inconsistencies to start the year, they may need a herculean effort from him to get things on track. One thing is for sure, Jack Hughes has cemented himself as one of the faces of not just the NHL, but USA hockey as a whole.

Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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