There is no question that Luke Hughes is a one talented player. That’s why the New Jersey Devils signed him to the contract they did, but this season, it seems that the youngest Hughes brother is right up there with his Norris Trophy-winning brother Quinn Hughes.
Luke Hughes is currently second in the NHL in goals among defensemen with six. That’s tied with Quinn Hughes and four behind Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers for the league lead.
While it may be a bit of a pipe dream to think that Luke Hughes could catch Bouchard, his place among scoring defensemen this season is a testament to his overall evolution as a player.
Make no mistake, folks. Luke Hughes is not a shutdown blueliner playing tough minutes, particularly on the penalty kill. Hughes, like his older brother, is a smooth-skating offensive defenseman who moves the puck well and has a good shot.
That combination is what makes him such a valuable option on the Devils’ blue line. And it also allowed the team to move on from Simon Nemec, another defenseman whom the Devils once thought could fill that role.
If this season is just the beginning for Luke Hughes, the NHL better be on alert.
Devils future looks bright with Luke Hughes leading the way
Luke Hughes is just one of the bright spots leading the way towards the Devils’ future. New Jersey has found a collection of up-and-coming pieces in Amadeus Lombardi, Luke Evangelist, Arseny Gritsuyk, and another Hughes brother, Jack.
It’s easy to forget that Jack Hughes is just 25, with captain Nico Hischier, 27, already playing the role of elder statesman on the team.
The bottom line is that the Devils have a young core with enough runway to become successful for a decade, if things go right.
And that’s just the thing. With so many variables in play, the Devils will need to walk a fine line between prioritizing contention at this point and focusing on the future.
The good news is that building around a talented young core is much easier than trying to keep an aging group alive. The Devils know that. That’s why this team has the potential to become a powerhouse in the next few seasons to come.
Luke Hughes is just the sort of cornerstone piece that can anchor the club’s blue line. And if the elder Hughes joins the club, the sky could very well be the limit for New Jersey.
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