The New Jersey Devils knew they had a star in Jack Hughes. He was on the cusp of becoming known as a top-ten player in the NHL before injuries have derailed him over the last 1.5 seasons.
Now, playing in Milan as a member of Team USA, Jack looks healthy and ready to win. His skills have never been in question, as long as he is healthy. In their first game against Latvia on Thursday, Hughes was the best player on either team. That is saying something, knowing the talent that resides on Team USA's roster.
That includes Jack's older brother Quinn Hughes. The elder Hughes, like Jack, had two assists in a 5-1 victory. They didn't contribute any points on the same goal, but they did have a couple of chances set up for one another. It's only a matter of time before they connect on one.
After the game, Jack Hughes was asked by Kathryn Tappen of NBC what it was like to play with Quinn in front of their parents, who were shown watching from the stands.
"It's so special," Jack Hughes said on Peacock to Tappen. "To play with Quinn, it's a dream come true. I'm sure the Tkachuk's could say the same thing. I think my parents are enjoying it a lot."
That's as fired up as you're going to hear Jack Hughes when speaking to a media member of any kind. That's the effect that playing in a happy mindset can have on a hockey player. That has not been the case for New Jersey this season.
It is something to take note of if you're the New Jersey Devils management team. They should be doing everything they can to acquire Quinn when he becomes available. The Minnesota Wild may have traded for him, but they only have his rights for the rest of this season and next. There is still the opportunity to get Quinn in New Jersey so they can play together.
That would also reunite Luke Hughes with his eldest brother as well. Although Quinn and Jack are established stars in the league, Luke has the potential to be a high-end contributor as well.
Not only would the Devils be landing someone who enhances two of their best players both mentally and physically on the ice, but they are also adding a top-ten NHL player in his own right. You can see the difference that Quinn Hughes makes every time he steps on the ice.
Team USA didn't have Quinn at the 4-Nations Face-Off due to injury. You can see the difference he makes when comparing that team to this Olympic team.
Jack is clearly, from his own mouth, enjoying this opportunity to play with Quinn. It doesn't have to end there, though. New Jersey has a potential franchise-altering move right in front of them, but they have to go out there and find a way to make it happen. It's easier said than done, but not doing so could make the future more difficult than it has to be.