There were some people who were critical of the New Jersey Devils pick of Luke Hughes in the 2021 NHL Draft. The Devils had the fourth-overall pick, and they really needed to make the right pick. With the signings of Dougie Hamilton and Tomas Tatar coming, it was clear they didn’t want to be picking near the top of the draft anymore. This might be their last top-ten pick in a while, or at least that was the hope.
With Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Alex Holtz, Dawson Mercer, and Ty Smith on the team, it seemed like they had a really good core to build around. Nobody on there is considered a bust, and with Pavel Zacha and Michael McLeod playing roles on the NHL team, the Devils were going for years of somewhat successful draft picks in the first round. The prospect pool is deep, and the young players on the NHL team are playing well.
They had the ability to take a chance on a defenseman like Luke Hughes. The Anaheim Ducks took a major chance on Mason McTavish at number three, and the Devils had a choice to make. They could either take Kent Johnson or William Eklund, but they went with Luke Hughes.
The future Michigan product was the obvious pick. He’s the brother of Jack Hughes, the Devils’ cornerstone piece, and the man who will decide whether this is a good era or not. With Luke as part of the Devils’ family, it makes keeping Jack happy much easier. It should also help in contract negotiations in the future.
Now, this pick is starting to look like it’s good on its own. Luke Hughes has been amazing with the Michigan Wolverines this season. He’s been given a chance to shine despite being on a defense with Owen Power. He’s one of the youngest players in college hockey, but he’s been dynamic.
He has six goals and seven assists in 13 games for the number-one ranked Wolverines. His team is the favorite to win the Frozen Four, and he’s been one of the best freshmen in college hockey. It’s not like he’s getting lucky. His skill is on another level.
Luke Hughes just dangling down the center pic.twitter.com/QOzQYehO27
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) November 20, 2021
He can skate through defenders. Hughes can shoot from anywhere in the offensive zone and get it in the back of the net. Hughes does so much so well offensively already. His defensive game is good too, but it’s his offensive game that is making him a star.
Hughes looks like he was the right pick, considering Jack is just a bonus. He might be able to make the jump to the NHL next season if everything goes right, but it’s probably best to let him cook in the NCAA for one more year to get better in his own end. Still, it looks like the Devils knocked this pick out of the park.