Can Jack Hughes become the second best player behind Connor McDavid?

[Hischier and Hughes]

Jack Hughes has been getting better and better each season - and once again looks to have taken another step up!

is it possible he can grow to be the second best player in hockey?

and how many points would that be? 120+? or just taking his team far in the playoffs?

curious what others think!

(PS, its just crazy to think that the Hughes brothers can all be (maybe with Luke) so great!!)

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[Coffee]

It’s a decent thread backed up with pure intent by the OP.

Let me go on a walk and recollect my thoughts and I’ll respond once im back

I’ll say this before I leave though, yes, yes I do think he can take that 2nd place spot.

 

[Bixby Snyder]

It's between him and Matthews.

 

[egelband]

Excellent player. Great at capitalizing on turnovers. Exciting. Hate him as a rangers fan. Top Twenty. Not top two.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

It's between him and Matthews.

MacKinnon is also very good! as is Draisaitl!

idk if Kucherov is still there but he could be!

 

[egelband]

MacKinnon is also very good! as is Draisaitl!

idk if Kucherov is still there but he could be!

Yeah. After McDavid there is a tier of like 15-20 guys who are awesome and I’d put Hughes in that group.

 

[Bixby Snyder]

MacKinnon is also very good! as is Draisaitl!

idk if Kucherov is still there but he could be!

Yeah, but still behind Matthews and Hughes,

 

[LemonSauceD]

There’s at least 5-6 other centers I’d take before him, let alone 10-15 players.

 

[Bruce Granville]

I thought Matthews was the best overall.
And then maybe Makar…

 

[Buck Naked]

Hughes is probably just gonna keep getting better so I see it as possible.

People tend to forget that MacKinnon (who I have ahead of Hughes today), during his 21 y/o season, scored 53 points in 82 games. Jack Hughes had 99 in 78. MacKinnon finally broke through when he was in the same season as Hughes is now. In other words, still plenty of room for Hughes to grow his game.

 

[dirtydanglez]

he could but he probably wont. there is mackinnon, drai, matthews and maybe a few others in his way. it also depends on how good bedard becomes.

 

[ijuka]

Yes, yes he can. That is, the probability is not 0.

 

[Ignite111]

Sure

 

[DearDiary]

11 points in 12 playoff games last season, Draisaitl had 18 in 12 games.

Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? No. Ask again in the offseason

 

[centipede2233]

Jack Hughes will never be 2nd best player until drasaitl falls off so that’s not for awhile

 

[Felidae]

Hughes finished 10th in PPG last season at 21 years old.

Patrick Kane at the same age finished 9th in points, but never finished top 10 in PPG until he was 24. He would go on to eventually sweep the awards at 27 years old.

I'm not saying Hughes will have a career reminiscient of Patrick Kane or that he'll be the 2nd best player behind McDavid. But it's not out of the realm of possibility, however unlikely.

 

[AvroArrow]

He's really good but that would mean he leapfrogs guys like, Matthews, Mackinnon, Draisaitl and even Bedard in the future. Don't see it happening.

 

[Albatros]

I guess a lot of players have a non-zero chance, but that's definitely not his trajectory at the moment.

 

[SI90]

His skill level is ridiculous and the pace he plays at is incredible. His development has been beautiful to watch. I remember thinking how weak his shot was the first couple of years and he’s made it into a strength. Fun and exciting player to watch

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Def possible. I’d probably go Bedard then him.

 

[waitin425]

I think he can....but he has to fend off Drai, Matthews and MacK. As early next year Bedard enters conversation. Ill say top 5.

 

[HBK27]

11 points in 12 playoff games last season, Draisaitl had 18 in 12 games.

Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? No. Ask again in the offseason

It was also Jack's first time in the playoffs versus Draisaitl's 5th playoff appearance, with the Devils facing arguably the best goalie in the league in Shesterkin round 1 and two of the top 4 defensive teams in the league between the Rangers and Hurricanes. He still finished with 2 more goals and 4 more points than any other player on NJ. I'd cut him some slack.

 

[AlaBlueShirt]

Right now? I’d put MacKinnon over the top. In 2-3 years? Absolutely.

 

[TeamRenzo]

Yeah, but still behind Matthews and Hughes,

Both are behind Draisaitl

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I think he can its gonna be close/tough though but the talent is there