C Jack Hughes - USNTDP (2019 Draft) Part 4

[Bruce Granville]

Wow, no points against GB.
Okay, they have won an olympic gold medal once and hence belong in the top tier, but still...

 

[Nate070]

I mean if you watch the games he has created a ton of scoring chances that have just missed. He hit the post today and got robbed by the UK goalie. He really has been snakebitten in the chances he has generated, just in the third period alone today he was a part of 3-4 high quality opportunities.

In all honesty, he has not created a ton of chances. It´s basically only in this game against the Brits that he had a couple.

 

[Jerzey Devil]

Gadreau has no points against GB. Shouldn’t that be a bigger deal?

 

[Nate070]

Gadreau has no points against GB. Shouldn’t that be a bigger deal?

I thought this was a thread about Jack Hughes. I was obviously wrong there . So guys, what DO you think about Gadreau so far?

 

[Jerzey Devil]

I thought this was a thread about Jack Hughes. I was obviously wrong there . So guys, what DO you think about Gadreau so far?

They had the same amount of points today yet one has been playing with “men” for years now. Same with Larkin and Martinez. But people still want to come in here and point out that Jack has no points. Is that clear enough for you?

 

[Nate070]

They had the same amount of points today yet one has been playing with “men” for years now. Same with Larkin and Martinez. But people still want to come in here and point out that Jack has no points. Is that clear enough for you?

I am pretty sure that those players you mentioned have almost no motivation for this kind of games where they play against opponents like GB. Jack does not want anything else than to score that first goal and his was his best game so far so maybe he gets it going from here

Also, a 99 point player in NHL does not have to prove himself in a meaningless game. I think you agree on that?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I am pretty sure that those players you mentioned have almost no motivation for this kind of games where they play against opponents like GB. Jack does not want anything else than to score that first goal and his was his best game so far so maybe he gets it going from here

Also, a 99 point player in NHL does not have to prove himself in a meaningless game. I think you agree on that?

do you realize how ridiculous this sentence is?

the game is meaningless, BUT HUGHES NEEDS TO PROVE HIMSELF OR ELSE!

How does that make any sense?

 

[OKOptimistic]

Doesn't Ovechkin have zero points so far in the tournament? Bust, this Ovechkin kid could never play against grown men in the NHL.

 

[vtdevils2k]

Doesn't Ovechkin have zero points so far in the tournament? Bust, this Ovechkin kid could never play against grown men in the NHL.

Honestly lol....its not even worth responding to some of the hot takes in here. This thread is exhausting.

Kid played well and wish he played more, but excited for his future to unfold.

 

[Nyx]

So far he hasn't been impressive and his rival Kakko has been better while playing on a much worse team. But one tournament doesn't really mean all that much and I think it's pretty clear Jack is going to be a Devil next season.

 

[Oneiro]

As someone who would take Hughes over Kakko, there are a ton of things for Hughes to work on. He did create a ton of chances today, but we also saw what makes him very raw.

He tries to outsmart opponents who have the puck by putting his stick in lanes to predict what they'll do, as opposed to engaging physically and dictating the positioning of who he's checking. I get it - physicality is not a strong suit so it makes sense for him to avoid it. But he'll have to get craftier about checking at the NHL level. There's a time to play a blue collar game and it can't always be the last option in your toolbox.

I'd like to also see him follow up his shots more and offer better support to his linemates. His ability to get lost in the coverage is great, but it also forces his linemates to hold onto the puck more. Hughes is someone who might benefit from playing with a power forward type, but mostly, he needs to get better at finding seams for his line-mates to get it back to him. You see a lot of one and done o-zone possessions when he's on the ice. He's got the escapability and the hands to play a better game along the boards. Again, this is another facet of the game that requires him to just get physically more mature. But I also think a part of a center's development is learning when to mitigate risk and play a very boring, support style depending on what happens on the ice.

The good news is these things are the biggest wake up call for every kid coming up as a center in the NHL. Maturity from an 18-year old is great, and Kakko should be applauded for how well-rounded he is. But I look at what's superlative, what it is that I can't find elsewhere. Right now, Hughes has the best edges and skating of anyone on the US team and better than most of the players in the NHL. Being able to make plays in all directions, at all times at any speed is not a minor advantage. And I'd put his hands + vision on par with Kane, Gaudreau and Eichel. Right now. This kid is speed incarnate and luckily his talent lies in the things that will save him from being physically punished at the NHL level. Sometimes some talents or facets of a player are of such a great magnitude that the rest does not matter.

 

[sammystl5]

In all honesty, he has not created a ton of chances. It´s basically only in this game against the Brits that he had a couple.

This is just incorrect. Did you watch the game v.s Slovakia? He created at least two open net opportunities for JVR. The France shift by shift is in this thread and there is at least quality 2-3 chances in there. Either you just stat watch or we have completely different definitions of a scoring chance.

 

[Nate070]

do you realize how ridiculous this sentence is?

the game is meaningless, BUT HUGHES NEEDS TO PROVE HIMSELF OR ELSE!

How does that make any sense?

Where did I say he needs to prove himself or else? Please do not put words in my mouth mr. Of course he wants to score his first goal and show what he goes for! I can assure you that Gadreau does not care at all at this stage. Same goes for Ovechkin. If you don´t understand the mentality of a superstar and a junior player on this level you simply don´t understand much. The big guns get going later in this tournament

 

[Nate070]

This is just incorrect. Did you watch the game v.s Slovakia? He created at least two open net opportunities for JVR. The France shift by shift is in this thread and there is at least quality 2-3 chances in there. Either you just stat watch or we have completely different definitions of a scoring chance.

Yes, i saw all the games. I live in Europe and i can stream all games. 2-3 chances against France is not "a ton of chances". Please watch the reruns of his shifts if you don´t believe me

 

[NJ07102]

And I'd put his hands + vision on par with Kane, Gaudreau and Eichel.

You mention Eichel. I watched the game today on a small SD screen and it was hard to tell the numbers sometimes... and I was surprised at how many times I thought it's JH when it was in fact Eichel. They have a lot in common with the way they move and play. Of course, Eichel is way stronger, which shows when he runs out of space and meets an opponent. Eichel always keeps standing while JH always sits down on the ice for a second.

 

[AmericanDream]

There is a lot to be said for teams that get thrown together like this, there is a reason why there is a thing called training camps and how it truly helps build team chemistry and familiarity with one another. Kakko had the luxury of playing with his team for weeks (and months prior for Liiga play), that is not an excuse or cop out, just reality. It makes a massive difference to be familiar with your teammates/linemates PRIOR to starting this thing. the whole US team still looks unsure of themselves and each other- just a rusty looking group of guys waiting to find that game where they click.

But, this does not excuse all of team USA's problems or where Hughes lacks. you still see a kid trying to dance too much out there at times. he still loses the puck more than I like on simple poke checks, he has to get stronger at holding onto the puck under pressure. but we also have to consider the nerves this just now 18 year old has to have going on right now as he is thrusted into this spotlight. the fact is this - he is here and hasn't looked out of place. he has not been a star player and all of us would love to see the production here. but whoever drafts this kid will have him in a full training camp where he can get familiar with his linemates and they familiar with him. players like Hughes rely heavily on that chemistry with how far ahead they think the game. when Hughes is thinking you are going to zig here and then you zag, just throws it all off. it is why Kane looks horrible at times as well because he tries to "know" where you will be on the ice before you even do. when it works they look like wizards, when it misses they look terrible.

I love the fact that both Kakko an Hughes are here representing their countries, it is awesome to see. but it isn't just about who scores more or not, there are far too many variables here and context that needs to be explained. I just want to see Hughes out there competing each and every game. I want to see how he handles pressure, adversity/things not going his way as he is not used to that. this will be his reality as the NHL is unforgiving at times - he needs to figure out how to rise above that without sacrificing who he is as a player...if he can do that he will be a star, if not then he will have a tough road ahead.

 

[sammystl5]

Yes, i saw all the games. I live in Europe and i can stream all games. 2-3 chances against France is not "a ton of chances". Please watch the reruns of his shifts if you don´t believe me

I'm being generous in what I'm counting as scoring chances. AT LEAST 2-3. He was borderline the US best forward against Slovakia so this isn't just taking advantage of Britain. Also considering his limited minutes the amount of offense he has driven is still impressive in 3/4 of the games.

 

[Nate070]

I'm being generous in what I'm counting as scoring chances. AT LEAST 2-3. He was borderline the US best forward against Slovakia so this isn't just taking advantage of Britain. Also considering his limited minutes the amount of offense he has driven is still impressive in 3/4 of the games.

I guess we have different opinions and that´s fine. I think he just needs to score one to get going for real. At that age confidence is everything. Kakko had a perfect start with a big goal in the first game against Canada. He didn´t score a single goal (as far as i remember) in the training games before WC.

 

[Jussi]

Looked like a solid showing from what I saw.

By the way, new plan: Maybe we just don't engage with the Finnish trolls going forward and they'll go away.

Pop quiz, hot shot: when has telling Finns to stop doing something ever worked?

 

[ijuka]

Personally, I wouldn't put too much weight on the point totals. Indeed, he has scored 0 points, but indeed, he could easily have had a few over the course of the tournament, and at least one goal. Those are individual plays and puck luck and chance does come into play. What I'd focus on, rather, is that even against Great Britain, there were extended sequences where Hughes seemed to be completely outside the play. Even the situations he happened upon the puck were oftentimes quite strange to me. From what I could see, it wasn't really an issue with effort or anything.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

So far he hasn't been impressive and his rival Kakko has been better while playing on a much worse team. But one tournament doesn't really mean all that much and I think it's pretty clear Jack is going to be a Devil next season.

I think the probability may end up dropping from ~100% to like 98% though

 

[BB88]

Doesn't Ovechkin have zero points so far in the tournament? Bust, this Ovechkin kid could never play against grown men in the NHL.

You think he should have the same lazy/arrogant mentality to these games as some of the NHL superstars?

I'd personnally rather see the drive, and effort.

 

[OKOptimistic]

You think he should have the same lazy/arrogant mentality to these games as some of the NHL superstars?

I'd personnally rather see the drive, and effort.

You couldn't possibly be more wrong if you think Jack has a lazy/arrogant mentality.

 

[BB88]

You couldn't possibly be more wrong if you think Jack has a lazy/arrogant mentality.

I basically asked you if you think he should play like that with your Ovy comparison.
These tourneys are full of proven NHL superstars who aren't going 100% at these, and it's okay.

 

[bondra]

Doesn't Ovechkin have zero points so far in the tournament? Bust, this Ovechkin kid could never play against grown men in the NHL.

Their in different roles. Ovie doesnt have anything to prove and Hughes is only entering to NHL and should show everybody that he is ready to play in NHL next season.