New Jersey Devils: 3 Reasons Jack Hughes Will Have A Breakout Season
The 2018 offseason gave New Jersey Devils fans hope that had been absent for years. After making the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, the rebuild had seemed to roll faster than expected. After a disappointing 2018-19 season, the Devils looked to make moves in the 2019 offseason to set them on top of the competition. After trading for former Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban and KHL MVP Nikita Gusev, the Devils culminated a good offseason by drafting Jack Hughes first overall in the NHL Draft. He was the consensus first-overall pick in a solid 2019 NHL Entry Draft, and even showed flashes of Patrick Kane and Connor McDavid during his time with the U.S. National Development Team. Even though he has not lived up to his “superstar potential” yet, this season carries optimism never seen before. Here’s three reasons why Jack Hughes will breakout in this upcoming season.
1. A Great Rebound
Jack Hughes’ rookie season did not light the world on fire. In 61 games, he netted 7 goals and posted 14 helpers for a whopping 21 points. He also carried a horrendous -26 +/- rating. Hughes’ first year was on par with Joe Thornton’s rookie year (7 points in 56 games). To his defense, it’s very hard to make the jump from USNTDP to the NHL. In his rookie season, he played with multiple linemates, his best player was traded, his head coach was fired midseason, and the pressure on his shoulders was insurmountable.
After adding 12 pounds of muscle in the offseason, he came back and was instantly better. He finished last season with 31 points in 56 games. At times, he was the best player on the ice from either team. As the season went on not only did Jack’s confidence grow, but Lindy Ruff and his staff grew more confident in Jack. Giving him tough minutes in every situation. His dynamic skating wowed everyone every time he stepped on the ice. With a regular off season and training camp with second year coach Lindy Ruff, lookout for Hughes to put up even more points.
Defensive Growth
We all know Jack Hughes is no Patrice Bergeron. His job is to go out there facilitate chances, control the neutral zone, and rack up the points along the way. However, seeing something out of Hughes this season that is exciting is the expansion of his defensive game.
He could hold his own in the defensive zone. Hughes won some 50/50 battles and even led the league in takeaways this past season. Even though his game is continuing to grow, it’s great to know he’s not completely one dimensional. He uses his quick feet and stick to pressure the opposition to make errors in their own zone. His +/- went up by +23 after his rookie year. Now granted some of that has to do with more offensive production,however Jack’s defensive growth plays a role in the boost. With another year under Lindy’s system, we could see even more defensive growth from Jack.
Improved Top-Six
A player is just as good as the team around him, and to be honest, Hughes has had a decent group at best. He finished the year lining up next to Janne Kuokkanen and Yegor Sharangovich. These three found instant success and look dynamic on the ice together. The difference from last year’s team however, is the fact that the Devils have options when it comes to the top-six. The Devils added analytical darling Tomas Tatar. Tatar is a consistent 20-goal scorer. You also eventually add young Swedish sniper Alexander Holtz, whose shot was the best in his draft class. The Devils also added defenseman Dougie Hamilton to help insulate offensive play. That’s just the top names. Look at upcoming young guns in Dawson Mercer, Nolan Foote, and Graeme Clarke who are bound to be called up from Utica at some point this season. Jack Hughes will have nice young talent to grow beside, and the end result can be deadly for the rest of the Nation Hockey League.
Jack has the confidence that his “superstar potential” won’t be just potential, it will be a reality. The way he walks and the way talks just exudes swagger. Now, it isn’t just self confidence, it’s confidence coming from the coaching staff and management. Devils’ general manager Tom Fitzgerald, has done the job and added talent around the young star. Now it’s Hughes’ job to go out there and prove the doubters wrong. And I think me and everyone else here at Pucks And Pitchforks are ready to see Jack take a gigantic leap next season.
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