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

[93LEAFS]

Personality issues? That's a new one. Only knock on his character I've heard is that scouts weren't happy about him and his brother disappearing when the tape measurers came out at the combine. Which isn't really a big deal.

 

[wetcoast]

I think he (and Kakko) have a good shot of getting over 60 if league scoring stays similar to last year. Last years scoring was among the highest its been league-wide. Just look at the number of people who broke 100 and 90 last year, compared to the previous 10 years.

I guess Hughes could hit 60 points if everything breaks right but I think that the Devils might ease him in behind Nico and Travis and I'm not sure he will get enough TOI to reach 60 points.

Both he and Kakko have the skill sets it's the opportunity that's the question.

we might know more as training camps break.

 

[Hisch13r]

I guess Hughes could hit 60 points if everything breaks right but I think that the Devils might ease him in behind Nico and Travis and I'm not sure he will get enough TOI to reach 60 points.

Both he and Kakko have the skill sets it's the opportunity that's the question.

we might know more as training camps break.

He'll definitely start with lower ice time but I don't think it'll be long before he starts to jump up. Nico for example started the year not getting many minutes but got more as the year progressed. When looking at the year as a whole he was 4th for forwards in ATOI and 2nd for total TOI

 

[Favin]

1. His style of play (his game) will not translate to the NHL
2. He is too soft to be successful in the NHL (nothing to do with his size)
3. His shot will be an issue at pro level
4. His hockey IQ/sense is not as great as people claim
5. His personality will be an issue at pro level

Not one of these things is a concern. There are some minor things to work on (faceoffs, shooting from perimeter, positioning on backcheck). #4 and #5 and two of his biggest strengths and make him more NHL-ready.

Saw the thread title and expected this to be made by a Fin or Rangers fan. Did not disappoint

This is getting old, Kakko fans. Its not a zero sum game...Kakko doesn't need Hughes to fail in order to be great.

The majority of scouts definitely don't believe that Hughes will be close to that. Not to say he won't be a great player and maybe even a couple all-star appearances.

This is not true at all. 100% fiction. Scouts, other NHL players, and other hockey observers have all been high on him as elite prospect for years.

 

[Hisch13r]

Not one of these things is a concern. There are some minor things to work on (faceoffs, shooting from perimeter, positioning on backcheck). #4 and #5 and two of his biggest strengths and make him more NHL-ready.

He must have seen BladeParadigm's video and now believes Hughes has no hockey sense

 

[93LEAFS]

About 9 goals away from scoring 120, which he thought would be around his career total.

Absolutely hilarious his dislike of Hughes, considering this guy is pumping up a bunch of players he has probably never watched in this forum based purely on counting stats in leagues he doesn't watch. Just check the Maddox Fleming or Sirizotti thread. And, if you were just scouting Hughes off numbers as he does for a bunch of threads he constantly bumps, you'd think Hughes was a future Art Ross winner.

Edit: My favorite post is actually someone saying Leafs fans will rip Matthews for not scoring a hat-trick in his first game. Thank god he got 4 goals...

 

[Bear of Bad News]

Stop making personal attacks on other posters.

 

[wetcoast]

He'll definitely start with lower ice time but I don't think it'll be long before he starts to jump up. Nico for example started the year not getting many minutes but got more as the year progressed. When looking at the year as a whole he was 4th for forwards in ATOI and 2nd for total TOI

Yet even if he had played in all 82 games he still would had only 56 points.

of course a healthy Hall and Gusev this year being added should help the offense and bring point totals back up for others.

I just think 60 might be a reach with Nico and Travis ahead of him on the depth charts.

 

[Hisch13r]

Yet even if he had played in all 82 games he still would had only 56 points.

of course a healthy Hall and Gusev this year being added should help the offense and bring point totals back up for others.

I just think 60 might be a reach with Nico and Travis ahead of him on the depth charts.

I think he ends up in the mid 50s but Hughes is also a better offensive talent so him outdoing Nico's rookie year even in a more limited role than Nico isn't crazy. Also Nico played all 82 his rookie year and finished with 52

 

[Spirit of 67]

Hughes>Matthews

Matthughes

 

[Spirit of 67]

I bet many people on here havent even seen him play except for the odd game/highlights here and there on tv and also clips on youtube.

The usual HF scouting tools

And never live.
The most important way to scout.

 

[Hisch13r]

Matthughes

Hopefully he doesn't drive through train tracks when there's a train coming like the other Matt Hughes

 

[wetcoast]

I think he ends up in the mid 50s but Hughes is also a better offensive talent so him outdoing Nico's rookie year even in a more limited role than Nico isn't crazy. Also Nico played all 82 his rookie year and finished with 52

Sure but he played alot with a healthy Hall.

Hughes linemates will matter as will icetme and especially PP time.

 

[93LEAFS]

Yet even if he had played in all 82 games he still would had only 56 points.

of course a healthy Hall and Gusev this year being added should help the offense and bring point totals back up for others.

I just think 60 might be a reach with Nico and Travis ahead of him on the depth charts.

I think there is a pretty good shot Hughes spends some time on the wing similar to Nathan MacKinnon in his rookie year. Although, Devil's are weaker on the RW than they are on the left. So, unless they move Gusev to RW (like most Russian wingers, he plays on his off-hand side), Hughes will have to play his off-hand to be in the top 6.

 

[Hisch13r]

Sure but he played alot with a healthy Hall.

Hughes linemates will matter as will icetme and especially PP time.

This has seemed to morph from Hughes getting 60 or not which we both think is more unlikely than likely and turned into whether he'll best Nico's total. Since Tavares, Nico's 52 is the lowest pace. I think he beats that

 

[Hockey Man]

As a Leafs fan I can definitely empathize with NJ fans about this whole situation.

Let's look at what GeorgeLeafer thought the last time an american went #1 overall when a finnish player went #2: Predict A Bust

So, take this opinion for what it's worth.

Spoiler

nothing

jesus that was a brutal post lmao. i choked on my coffee

 

[lemonybergamot]

Personality issues? That's a new one. Only knock on his character I've heard is that scouts weren't happy about him and his brother disappearing when the tape measurers came out at the combine. Which isn't really a big deal.

What's the player's reason for doing this? Insecurity or bias from scouts who generally prefer size? If Hughes was that confident he'd go #1, why not just get measured?

For what it's worth, I don't think Hughes will be a bust. Nor do I think his size will be that much an issue for him in the NHL. I think he'll be very good, and on top of that he has a great confident personality that will help him succeed. I'm excited to see the Rangers-Devils rivalry renewed and hopefully Kakko plasters him to the boards a few times more.

 

[93LEAFS]

What's the player's reason for doing this? Insecurity or bias from scouts who generally prefer size? If Hughes was that confident he'd go #1, why not just get measured?

For what it's worth, I don't think Hughes will be a bust. Nor do I think his size will be that much an issue for him in the NHL. I think he'll be very good, and on top of that he has a great confident personality that will help him succeed. I'm excited to see the Rangers-Devils rivalry renewed and hopefully Kakko plasters him to the boards a few times more.

I don't know, but both Quinn and Jack were encouraged not to by there dad/agency (Which Jim Hughes works for). They used going to the World Championship as the reason, which was a first considering Matthews, Eichel, Fiala, Seider, Draisaitl, Fehevary, Dano and Laine all got measured and did the combine testing. Usually, players who are on the Memorial Cup teams don't go through the drills and measurments due to the Combine usually starting very shortly after. Quinn's excuse was that it was like taking a test you didn't prepare for, which may have some merit, but he was the first to use it considering a bunch of other guys participated in the combine after playing in the World Championships. Jack may have done the same to avoid making Quinn look bad (and reveal the excuse for what it was), as Quinn is the one whose stock would have been hurt the most by measurements and athletic testing.

 

[KinCornKarn]

What's the player's reason for doing this? Insecurity or bias from scouts who generally prefer size? If Hughes was that confident he'd go #1, why not just get measured

Why do something if you know it will only be used against you? Everyone knows he is on the small side so it would have revealed nothing. However, there were some that just couldn't wait to have that definitive proof that he is "too small". Right or wrong dont give the critics what they want.

 

[93LEAFS]

Why do something if you know it will only be used against you? Everyone knows he is on the small side so it would have revealed nothing. However, there were some that just couldn't wait to have that definitive proof that he is "too small". Right or wrong dont give the critics what they want.

It's a bit of a joke though. Marner and Keller didn't avoid this stuff when you could say the same stuff about their size (Marner came in sub-160). Neither did Caufield or Yamamoto. By dodging it, you are just giving the critics something else to bash you for saying you are afraid of getting measured. It is not like he wins or removes doubt by not doing it.

 

[Section32]

Not a hint of a personality problem that will cause issues with teammates, management or fans of the Devils.

I just don't see him blowing this.

What has been written 1,000 times since the Draft, is the most likely...The Devils are set down the middle for the next 10-15 years.

 

[KinCornKarn]

It's a bit of a joke though. Marner and Keller didn't avoid this stuff when you could say the same stuff about their size (Marner came in sub-160). Neither did Caufield or Yamamoto. By dodging it, you are just giving the critics something else to bash you for saying you are afraid of getting measured. It is not like he wins or removes doubt by not doing it.

True, but there was much more of a spotlight on Hughes. I would also say that it just goes to show that much of the measurement stuff is pretty pointless. Its not like team execs and scouts didn't get to meet him in person. It is not that hard to figure out he looks like a skinny kid. It doesn't seem so cloak and dagger to me. Did anyone check to see if his shoes were too thick? He may have added a half inch or so.

You're right that the critics would bash him either way. I think it's better to let them bash you over speculation than something concrete. It just depends on how you look at it I guess.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

As a Leafs fan I can definitely empathize with NJ fans about this whole situation.

Let's look at what GeorgeLeafer thought the last time an american went #1 overall when a finnish player went #2: Predict A Bust

So, take this opinion for what it's worth.

Spoiler

nothing

#Exposed

 

[tealhockey]

It's a bit of a joke though. Marner and Keller didn't avoid this stuff when you could say the same stuff about their size (Marner came in sub-160). Neither did Caufield or Yamamoto. By dodging it, you are just giving the critics something else to bash you for saying you are afraid of getting measured. It is not like he wins or removes doubt by not doing it.

I see your perspective, I also see the perspective of a kid who is in pole position with the draft media and doesn't want to give them any "he did HOW MANY pull-ups??" etc type of fuel.

 

[NJ DevLolz]