New Jersey Devils End of the Season Report Cards: Forwards
The New Jersey Devils missed the playoffs and finished the season with a 38-39-5 record. Let's check in and grade the Devils forwards after a disappointing season.
By Nick Natale
Eighty-two up, 82 down for the New Jersey Devils as their 2023-24 season has come to a close. The encore performance to a historic 2022-23 fell flat on its face as the team missed the playoffs yet again, and finished with 81 points.
With the season finished and school almost out, it's time we hand out some report cards. We graded the Devils forwards at the midway point of the season, but now it's time to give them a grade over a full 82 games.
Jack Hughes (GP 64 - 27G - 47A - 74P)
It was a season of what almost was for Jack Hughes. He started the season on a torrid scoring pace, netting the NHL's First Star of the Month for October. However, injuries quickly derailed his season and prevented him from likely hitting the 100-point mark. After returning from his second stint on the IR after injuring his shoulder against the Chicago Blackhawks, Hughes never looked the same. His point production was still there, but his game was way off. He was shy of contact, was noticeably worse at stick handling, and often deferred to his teammates in the offensive zone. It became abundantly clear he was dealing with an injury, often sitting out practices, and this was confirmed when he was shut down for the season to get shoulder surgery. Health will be the biggest point of emphasis for Hughes in 2024-25, but despite the injuries, his pure talent still managed to have him second on the team in points.