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New Jersey Devils: 5 Most Important Players When They Return To The Ice

By Nick Villano

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 19: Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his second goal of the second period at 8:38 against Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 19: Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his second goal of the second period at 8:38 against Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86): Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Jack Hughes

The most important player by any metric this season was and is Jack Hughes. He was downright terrible at times last season and unable to overcome adversity at others. It was a frustrating year for the first player to ever jump from the USNDTP to the NHL. Now, Hughes looks like he absolutely belongs in the NHL.

He has eight points in nine games including three very incredible goals. He won the Devils only game against the Rangers basically by himself, so he’s already putting up moments Devils fans will never forget. His point totals wained towards the end of January, but it felt like a barrage of points was on the horizon.

Once Lindy Ruff put Jesper Bratt and Andreas Johnsson on Hughes’ wing, it was like watching a magic show come to life. They had instant chemistry, and they were the best line on the ice. Hughes was the catalyst to driving that line.

If the Devils can have Bratt and Johnsson work on Hughes’ wing, that gives Ruff a chance to make great lines in the middle six. The Devils middle six has been terrible to start the season, so Hughes taking control of a line with Johnsson and Bratt takes the pressure off wingers like Nikita Gusev and Kyle Palmieri.

Hughes can become a superstar this season. If he finishes the season averaging a point per game, it completely changes how the world sees the Devils’ present and future.

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