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C Jack Hughes - USNTDP (2019, 1st, NJD) Part 6

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Blender said:
4 points in 2 preseason games, where he could have had 5 or 6 more points if the guys on the end of his passes had got their shot off a bit better. He's been the best player on the ice in both games he has played, but somehow that still isn't good enough because the goalposts are constantly being shifted by the Finnish contingent here.

Has he had giveaways? Yup.
Has he been terrible at faceoffs? Yup.
Has he been knocked off the puck by stronger players? Yup.

Guess what though? None of that is surprising in any way, everyone knew that it would go that way. The insane amount of skill and skating ability he possesses has been on full display here, and all people can do is nitpick at the obvious flaws everyone knew he would have and that many young players coming into the league have had. Anyone remember how horrendous Crosby was at faceoffs and defensive hockey in his rookie year? Patrik Kane was even worse and was also knocked off the puck plenty. They were both criticized plenty for their weaknesses in these areas, which is deserving for Hughes as well, but I don't recall anyone flooding the internet to trash them for their overall potential or ability because of it, or saying that they would never translate to the NHL.
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Do you think he will be able to stick at centre as a rookie? Genuine question and I am curious because when I was watching him last year to me it was never a question on whether he was going to be a star in the NHL I just wasn't sure whether he would 1) Be a centre in the NHL and 2) If he is one long term whether he would have the strength to play the position as an 18 year old. I always thought he would be one of those players that starts his career on the wing and then transitions to the middle but if he is going to be tried out down the middle I will have to tune in to see how he fairing myself at some point early in the season.
 
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TheBeastCoast said:
Do you think he will be able to stick at centre as a rookie? Genuine question and I am curious because when I was watching him last year to me it was never a question on whether he was going to be a star in the NHL I just wasn't sure whether he would 1) Be a centre in the NHL and 2) If he is one long term whether he would have the strength to play the position as an 18 year old. I always thought he would be one of those players that starts his career on the wing and then transitions to the middle but if he is going to be tried out down the middle I will have to tune in to see how he fairing myself at some point early in the season.
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Yes, I fully expect that he will be playing center this year. There is zero chance he is asked to carry the team as the #1 center or anything though, he's going to be protected by Hischier and Zajac playing tougher minutes so Hughes can focus on his game while developing. The Devils have no need to feed him to the wolves unless he shows he can handle it, in which case this entire discussion is pointless anyways.

The Devils haven't used him anywhere but center in the preseason (including prospects tournament, development camp, and training camp), so I can't see them suddenly moving him either. That doesn't mean he will always take faceoffs either, as I can see situations where he is on the ice, doesn't take a faceoff, and switches up when play starts.
 
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I have to admit that Hughes looks great, and it surprises me. Thought he would have more trouble, but I would still like to see how he does against legit NHL lineups. These preseason games are anything but, for the most part.

He seems to be able to process the game quickly.
 
57special said:
I have to admit that Hughes looks great, and it surprises me. Thought he would have more trouble, but I would still like to see how he does against legit NHL lineups. These preseason games are anything but, for the most part.

He seems to be able to process the game quickly.
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The things Hughes does well he'll be able to do against the best competition (skating, vision, passing). His goal scoring also looks better than advertised (shot is good, not great but he's accurate). The things he struggles with will also continue (size/strength, faceoffs, etc.). Overall he looks great to me.
 
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Curious what you guys think about him physically holding up through a long season?

I think the only think you can knock him just a bit on is his weight.

Obviously, that won't be an issue in a couple of years.

Nevertheless, he looks as good ad advertised.
 
GeorgeLeafer12 said:
He had 4 give away's tonight thou,... (total of 6 so far in the preseason)

Gotta be honest thou, he has surprised me a lot in the preseason so far, at least goals,points and skating wisely, good for him.
I'm still highly skeptical however, its not like he has lights out dominated in the preseason against mostly none regular NHL:ers
rookies and invitees

D players he has faced so far: AAndersson,CBreen,MGeertsen,SKampfer,JKeane,JMorrow,RLindgren,
APetrovic,TReunanen,MStaal,UVaakanainen,JZboril

F players he has faced so far: ABlidh,BBuchnevich,PCarey,FChytil,PDi Giuseppe,JFast,RFitzgerald,GFontaine,
TFrederic,BGaunce,MHaley,BHowden,JLauko,VLettieri,PLindholm,VNamestnikov,PNewell,BRitchie,ZSeneshyn,
OSteen,RStrome,JStudnicka,CWagner

Goalies he has faced so far: AHuska,KKeyser,HLundqvist,DVladar,
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If you don’t think he dominated last night I really don’t know what game you were watching
 
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Section32 said:
Curious what you guys think about him physically holding up through a long season?

I think the only think you can knock him just a bit on is his weight.

Obviously, that won't be an issue in a couple of years.

Nevertheless, he looks as good ad advertised.
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I expect he’ll take a beating and probably miss some time. But I never thought Nico would’ve made it 82 games plus playoffs as a rookie.
 
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looks like hughes may have clipped a ranger on this turn

oI7aFVe.gif


suspension incoming?
 
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Section32 said:
Curious what you guys think about him physically holding up through a long season?

I think the only think you can knock him just a bit on is his weight.

Obviously, that won't be an issue in a couple of years.

Nevertheless, he looks as good ad advertised.
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Probably will be an issue, but he's going to be sheltered as much as possible.

Likely have Hall - Hischier on the first line capable of playing against anyone. Zajac has proved he can play the shutdown role on a line with whoever he's with. Zacha has proven himself as a solid defensive center.

There's no reason to rush him if he has some issues and plenty of ways to shelter him.
 
He has work to do defensively and in the dot no doubt, but if nothing else he has proven to be better than AHL players, who are mostly men.
 
5'9" 165 Gaudreau with by far the most giveaways unsurprisingly.

There are also players with more goals than giveaways.
 
Mac Attack said:
Man watching Hughes highlights against an even mostly AHL roster had me sad. Why did we lose the lottery??? But as a Colorado fan I really have no right to complain about anything so congrats Devils on getting a great piece to build your team around.
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Kings fan here.

Anger rising.

Kid's gonna be special, love it when they cram all the pre-draft hot-takery right down the pundits' throats.
 
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