New Jersey Devils top prospect goalie Mikhail Yegorov is getting used to the name Jack Hughes. It's one he will likely need to know for a long time. The Devils' top star is Jack Hughes, former first-overall pick, the team's franchise single-season scoring leader, and their most marketable player. Hughes is signed with the Devils through 2030, and his brother Luke Hughes is expected to sign a long extension this offseason.
Yet, Yegorov should already know the name. See, there is another Jack Hughes. This Jack Hughes started his NCAA career with Northeastern University, and he was eventually taken in the second round by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2022 NHL Draft. Now, he's playing a pivotal role for the Boston Terriers, Yegorov's current team.
Hughes isn't going to knock anyone's skates off with his scoring ability. He had 20 points for BU this season in 36 games. It's not going to be too offensively inclined, but it's something. Hughes is the Terriers' second-line center, and he's been playing with Islanders' superstar prospect Cole Eiserman, possibly the Terrier's best offensive weapon.
The Devils desperately need center depth, and if someone is available for free, it's worth a shot. The general consensus is that the Kings aren't going to offer Hughes a contract before the August deadline approaches. If that's the case, he will become a free agent.
Hughes would make a great addition to the Utica Comets next season. Even with many changes, the Devils are limited in the centers they can bring in. They don't have many in the prospect pool who would be eligible. They do have Artem Shlaine, but they realistically could use three centers for Utica next season.
Hughes would be a good bottom-six center to add essential skills to a unit that was devoid of them this season. Center depth was a huge reason why the Comets are likely going to miss the playoffs this season. They couldn't get consistent play down the middle, and that's usually a death knell for teams.
In the end, Hughes won't be a top prospect, but he will be intriguing for the Devils. He has a development path that could get him to the NHL one day. Now the question is how the Devils would put his name on his jersey. If this Jack Hughes has a cool middle name, maybe we think of doing the initials. Does JJ Hughes work? Or maybe JP Hughes?
Whispers: his name is Dylan. Okay, we'll figure something else out.