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What Jack Hughes Means For New Jersey Devils Fans

By Joseph Stanislau

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 21: Jack Hughes puts on a hat after being selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 21: Jack Hughes puts on a hat after being selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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There are a lot of things to define the freshly drafted Jack Hughes. The New Jersey Devils haven’t had a big time drafted forward since Patrik Elias, who is the all-time leading franchise scorer. One of the best parts of Jack Hughes game is his zone entries. Patrik Elias could clear the opposing blue line with really quickly. On the other hand, no offense to Patrik Elias, but Hughes absolutely wins the foot race.

The kid is so smart and so good that it wouldn’t be surprising if Hughes gets free press from American telecom companies. Verizon (a New Jersey Devils sponsor) along with multiple news and numerous sports outlets will give this young center a huge marketing campaign across the U.S. For all Devils fans, and new fans to watching the NHL, Hughes can be the poster boy for how the sport is evolving and growing long term.

While my generation had grown up with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Auston Matthews, and Connor McDavid being drafted centers during our childhood, and adult lives, these players are the company Jack is joining with his play style. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him have some early success like other really proven super star centers.

The way the pace of the NHL is going, it will be super fast. Hughes is part of this trend that is in vogue for the long term. Ray Shero having Jack Hughes in New Jersey with a really good division of team hockey content can only boost the views via social media and possibly TV. Once the New Jersey Devils workout commercial deals with Jack along with new sponsors for him like CCM and Bauer, this kid will popularize the brands but also bring in more people to buy Devils tickets.

If this was under Lou Lamoriello, there wouldn’t be any marketing of certain players under any circumstances. Ray Shero, on the other hand, welcomes players getting sponsored deals. Heck, even Cory Schneider had a commercial with Investors Savings Bank (New Jersey Devils Sponsor).

Jack Hughes along with P.K. Subban joining this Devils franchise changes the whole outlook in the near and long term. The Devils ticket sales, television marketing, and social media are all going to have a field day not only promoting the two newest Devils but the whole upcoming team in general.

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