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

[Jersey Fan 12]

No. As long as there are three zones in a hockey rink he cannot be considered among the top players in the game.

While he is exciting and creative making plays - and can dazzle in 3 on 3 or on the power play - he is more in the Panarin class; a gifted offensive threat but a liability in 5 v 5.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

No. As long as there are three zones in a hockey rink he cannot be considered among the top players in the game.

While he is exciting and creative making plays - and can dazzle in 3 on 3 or on the power play - he is more in the Panarin class; a gifted offensive threat but a liability in 5 v 5.

Lol. I know all you do is troll, but he is one of the best 5 on 5 players in the sport.

 

[Buck Naked]

agree to disagree

What's there to disagree about? If you think there's a 30% chance of Bedard becoming the second best player in the league and 15% chance that it's Hughes, you take Bedard but admit there's a chance that it's Hughes in the end.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

What's there to disagree about? If you think there's a 30% chance of Bedard becoming the second best player in the league and 15% chance that it's Hughes, you take Bedard but admit there's a chance that it's Hughes in the end.

well if you already think Hughes can become the 2nd best player behind McDavid then why would that person take Bedard over the guy they think will be 2nd best?

I just wonder how many people here took Bedard over Hughes but agree in here Hughes will become the 2nd best that's all no need to make a big deal out of it.

I just find it funny. we're not switching this conversation back to Hughes vs Bedard.

 

[Buck Naked]

well if you already think Hughes can become the 2nd best player behind McDavid then why would that person take Bedard over the guy they think will be 2nd best?

I just wonder how many people here took Bedard over Hughes but agree in here Hughes will become the 2nd best that's all no need to make a big deal out of it.

I just find it funny. we're not switching this conversation back to Hughes vs Bedard.

Because there's a huge difference in who you think will become and who you think can become. But even if you think Bedard will become the second best player in the league you can still admit that another player can take that spot. And like it's been pointed out many times in this thread. There are several players right now who can become the second best player in the league. Some more likely than others. Just like there are plenty of teams who can win the Stanley Cup. So just because you might think that it's more likely that one team will win over another, doesn't remove the fact that the other team still can win. It might just not be as likely.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Because there's a huge difference in who you think will become and who you think can become. But even if you think Bedard will become the second best player in the league you can still admit that another player can take that spot. And like it's been pointed out many times in this thread. There are several players right now who can become the second best player in the league. Some more likely than others. Just like there are plenty of teams who can win the Stanley Cup. So just because you might think that it's more likely that one team will win over another, doesn't remove the fact that the other team still can win. It might just not be as likely.

you think I'm blind that I can't see all the will and cans? this thread literally is a can thread.

most those people also thought Bedard is what Jack Hughes is right now..... so I still find it funny. don't be upset it's not that big of a deal. just let it go and lets get back to the original topic

 

[Buck Naked]

you think I'm blind that I can't see all the will and cans? this thread literally is a can thread.

most those people also thought Bedard is what Jack Hughes is right now..... so I still find it funny. don't be upset it's not that big of a deal. just let it go and lets get back to the original topic

Because you're mixing them up. This is what you wrote:

"well if you already think Hughes can become the 2nd best player behind McDavid then why would that person take Bedard over the guy they think will be 2nd best?"

But yes, I agree, let's let it go.

 

[goonybird]

Can Hughes play against men?

 

[Jerzey Devil]

Can Hughes play against men?

No. His turns are too wide.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Since 2021-present, among forwards with +500 ES minutes, Jack Hughes ranks defensively:

-168 of 483 in xGA/60 (top 35% - similar scores to Anze Kopitar, Nick Bonino, Anton Lundell, Ross Colton)

-143 of 483 in SCA/60 (top 30% - similar scores to Will Carrier, Vlad Namestnikov, William Karlsson, Anze Kopitar)

-108 of 483 in CA/60 (top 25% - similar scores to Ryan O'Reilly, Chris Kreider, Sean Monahan, Carter Verhaeghe)

-46 of 483 in HDCA/60 (top 10%) - similar scores to Jordan Staal, Michael McLeod, Gabriel Landeskog, Elias Lindholm)


For comparison, Selke Trophy runner-up Nico Hischier ranks in the same categories:

93 of 483 in xGA/60
98 of 483 in SCA/60
164 of 483 in CA/60 (worse than Hughes)
64 of 483 in HDCA/60 (worse than Hughes)


So, what is the evidence of him being bad defensively, other than his height and his faceoff percentage?

 

[JayDog16]

Not only is he an incredible player but he's a great ambassador for the sport. The guy is articulate and a true leader. It sucks he plays for a rival but I have to give credit where it's due. Phenomenal talent.

 

[glenwo2]

Unfortunately for you boys, Jack is in trouble when it comes to winning trophies after McDavids prime because Bedard is better than Jack


I try to be unbiased. Your fanbase uses laughing emojis and don’t respond to anything factual

And that's all I have to say to that nonsense. Have a good one.

 

[glenwo2]

What do you see in Bedard that makes him generational?

Honest question here 'cause all I see so far is just HYPE by the media that some people seem to be taking as Gospel.

 

[Stickpucker]

He's gonna pass McDavid.

Just needs more consistency.

 

[Bondurant]

You forgot to add "quietly" betwixt "Hughes" and "become". This thread title does not meet HF criteria.

EDIT: Failed at my own joke.

 

[AD1066]

His wide turns and lack of experience against men may prevent him from reaching those heights.

They should slap one of these on his back so the other players can exercise caution around him.

 

[centipede2233]

Quote me at the end of the year. I think it will end up:
McDavid 1A/1B
Matthews1B/1A
J. Hughes 1C

Drasaitl says hi

 

[TBF1972]

Can Hughes play against men?

already covered. as well as the wide turns.

you can still get points by mentioning muffin of a shot.

 

[sennysensen]

He COULD, but it would be tough to surpass Makar, who is a great 2-way defenseman, and has already dominated in the playoffs.

If Hughes gets 115 points, leads the Devils on a long playoff run with say 30 points in 22 games, then let's talk. Even then, guys like Draisaitl, and McKinnon (moreso in the playoffs) have done this already.

I certainly wouldn't bet against that ever happening, Hughes is capable, but let's see if he's a McKinnon or a Matthews in the playoffs first.

 

[Clam Jensen]

No. As long as there are three zones in a hockey rink he cannot be considered among the top players in the game.

While he is exciting and creative making plays - and can dazzle in 3 on 3 or on the power play - he is more in the Panarin class; a gifted offensive threat but a liability in 5 v 5.

Impressive commitment to the bit. You have to be the most negative devils fan on here. What in the world would make you happy? Rolling out 12 John Maddens and winning each game 1-0?

 

[Offseason Champs]

Yeah, Hughes has 10 points in 4 games, but is 2-6 in 5v5 play. Devils have 43% power play. Then again, Hughes PDO is .892.

It'll be interesting to see which way these stats develop. Something here is unsustainable.

I'm gonna spoil you on this one, but the unsustainable thing here is their lack of 5v5 offense through 4 games. The numbers are gonna go up. (Besides PP% since that will come down)

 

[Kranix]

At this point it's second best player behind Wayne

 

[MacMacandBarbie]

i wouldnt say his skill level is higher!

i think he was more ready and physically-fit for the NHL

also, though a long-winded debate maybe for another day, i tend to find that high-end shooters arent as skilled as their high-end playmaking counterparts

i think a heavy and accurate shot with a quick release can open the ice enough for you to seem as though you are a better playmaker

itd be the same way i dont think Steph Curry is as skilled of a player as point guards of his caliber!

edit: i do think Bedard ends up better though! just a matter of when and if Jack can outdo my feelings on him!

Lol curry has 4 rings. Would love to hear what guard you think impacts winning more than he does with his shooting.

Also usually what makes a good playmaker is someone who has a shot threat. Being forced to respect someone’s shot is what opens the space up for others. It’s so common to see skilled shooters having seasons where they rack up assists, it’s much less common to see skilled playmakers have seasons where they rack up goals.

 

[Beukeboom]

Currently on pace for 82 goals and 205 points! That would be Gretzky's fifth best season

See no reasons why Jack can't become the second best player. He's already up there fighting as a 22 year old.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

He's gonna pass McDavid.

Just needs more consistency.

I mean this is his 22 year old season and it's 27 year old season for McDavid. So it's likely just since players start to decline as they near 30. I doubt he hits McDavid's peak though.