Jack Hughes
ESPN Ranking: 4
Too High, Too Low, Just Right?: Just Right
We understand that Jack Hughes being the fourth-ranked player on this list might feel too high to some, but the early season results are proving otherwise. He has 10 points, which is third in the NHL. The only two players ahead of him (Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin) have both played two more games than Hughes.
Jack Hughes has been a phenom this season. He’s scored goals when his team needed it most, including two crucial goals against the wagon that is the Detroit Red Wings. He’s coming off an overtime goal to beat the New York Islanders. When the Devils need Hughes, he shows up big.
Some are complaining because of who Hughes has been ranked ahead of this season. He’s ahead of Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, Nikita Kucherov, and David Pastrnak. However, when you get into this stratosphere of players, there will be nuance in the rankings. Right now, only one thing is clear about hockey rankings: Connor McDavid is at the top. Beyond that, it’s anybody’s ball game.
Hughes is a superstar, and he’s already proved it early in the season. The Devils know for a fact they can rely on him in the biggest moments. We expect that to come up again at the end of the season.