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New Jersey Devils: Moving Jack Hughes Gives Them Depth At Center

By Vincent Parise

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 19: Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils reacts after scoring his first career NHL goal in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks at the Prudential Center on October 19, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 19: Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils reacts after scoring his first career NHL goal in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks at the Prudential Center on October 19, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The New Jersey Devils can be deep at center if all of their guys are in the proper spots and playing well. This game against Carolina could prove it.

The New Jersey Devils have been using a lineup that is less than ideal for a few weeks now. Most people agree that Jack Hughes played way too many games on the wing. He hasn’t had the best rookie season for a number-one overall pick, not by a long shot. However, people often forget that he is the youngest player in the NHL. The skill is clearly there and he can only get better. The good news is that once he improves it will likely be a significant improvement.

The Devils are going to move Hughes back to the center for their game against the Carolina Hurricanes. It looks like he will be between Janne Kuokkanen and Michael McLeod. That could be a line that sees some pretty passing and perhaps, a first NHL goal or two. It is a line with the skill that is just waiting to break out. Hopefully, they do.

Hughes is a part of a group of centers that can be pretty good if everyone plays to their strengths. Nico Hischier, Pavel Zacha, and Travis Zajac will be the other centers playing in the lineup against Carolina. It is a group of guys that all play a different game that can help a team in multiple ways. They all have a fair amount of offensive skills but could probably all bring more production. It is important for them to drive play so it will be interesting to see what they can do if lined up properly.

The Devils are not going to the playoffs, so tinkering with the lineup to try to find the right combinations for next year might be smart. It is tough to predict how they will do as the Carolina Hurricanes are desperate for points as they chase the playoffs. They have great players who will resist the Devils’ best players but it is up to them to fight back. If they are able to play spoiler the rest of the way while still securing some solid draft position, then the end of the season will be the best it can possibly be in these circumstances.

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