Pucks and Pitchforks
Fansided

New Jersey Devils: 5 Players Competing with Jack Hughes for Calder Trophy

By Alan Goldenberg

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 17: New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) faces off during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on October 17, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 17: New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) faces off during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on October 17, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
(Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Kappo Kakko

Original: As much as us Devils fans and writers hate to admit this, Kappo Kakko will be an elite player in the NHL. The combination of size and skill means he will come out of the gate like a cannon for the beginning of his career in the best league in the world. Though a sniper from the eye test, Kakko has underrated playmaking abilities as well.

Watching him last week against the Devils was nerve-wracking as I noticed he was zipping pass after pass between our penalty killers. The powerplay is where he will be most valuable at the start of the season as I expect him to start on the second even-strength line with valuable forward Chris Kreider and either Filip Chytil or Ryan Strome.

The powerplay comes with its exposure to elite playmakers Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, and Jacob Trouba. Assuming Kakko progresses as expected, it will not be long until he is playing first line minutes flanking Zibanejad with Panarin. The Rangers are top-heavy, but if they make moves into the playoff race and Kakko has a 30 goal, 60-point season as I expect, it will be hard to pick someone else for the Calder.

More from Pucks and Pitchforks

Update: Kakko is finally practicing with Zibanejad and Kreider on the Rangers top line, dropping Panarin to the second to spread out the scoring.

I expect playing with Zibanejad is going to jumpstart Kakko into his groove after his comments recently stating that he is not playing to the best of his ability.

For a player of Kakko’s stature and playing history, he should have more than 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points, but I still believe he will turn it around and finish in the top 5 of Calder voting.

Quinn Hughes

Original: Everyone loves a little brotherly rivalry. Some of the great ones such as Serena and Venus Williams and Tony and Phil Esposito have come to define eras within their sports. Jack, Quinn, and eventually Luke Hughes may come to define this next era of hockey in the Post Crosby and Ovechkin years.

This upcoming year though, Jack and Quinn Hughes will be competing head-to-head for the Calder trophy. Us Devils fans know all about Jack and his potential, but Quinn can hold his ground in this battle of brothers. He made an immediate impact last season posting 3 assists in 5 games while garnering first powerplay minutes with elite forwards Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser.

This upcoming season, he will start on the even-strength second unit of the defense, playing alongside the veteran Tyler Myers, but will continue to have the exposure to the valuable forwards of Vancouver’s top two lines. Quinn has the perfect game for this new age of defensemen.

Speed, handling, and quick decision making is his forte. He is extremely creative and has an elite vision like a certain other player with the last name Hughes. Although he is an offensive defenseman, he can hold his own defensively by taking steps in the neutral zone to prevent his opponent from getting a quick and easy entry into the attacking zone. All in all, he will be an integral part of the Canucks team this upcoming season. Mark the date 10/19 at 1 pm EST down to watch Jack go up against Quinn for the first team in their young NHL careers.

Update: Well 10/19/19 did not disappoint for us Devils fans as it is a day we will not forget for many years. We were also able to watch Quinn Hughes for the first time as well and I need to say I am very impressed with his abilities.

Similar to Makar, he is a smooth skater, electric, but also is very responsible defensively. The 6-3-0 Canucks have come out of the gate fast as has Hughes: 6 points in his first 9 games while playing just around 20 minutes per night and being a +3. He looks to be growing every time out on the ice and has the looks of a future elite defenseman in the NHL and a definite option for the Calder if his play continues.

Home/Editorials