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

[bobholly39]

After McDavid, its a tier of Mack, Drai, Matthews, Kucherov and Makar in some order for top 6.

Can Hughes join that group/be seen as best in a strong season? I think so - thats probably his ceiling though, so im not sure he reaches quite so high, but its possible.

The other element is - who else? Crosby/McDavid both absolutely dominated league in year 2 - its possible that by next year Bedard already surpasses Hughes and never looks back

 

[Dotter]

The question shouldn't be "can he?". The question should be "why can't he?"

He's an amazing player.

 

[TLEH]

I mean purely based on the question, I think he has the ceiling to be 2nd best, yes. I’m not sure he’ll ever get there, but it’s possible

 

[Sasha Orlov]

The gap between Draisaitl and 3rd best is large IMO

 

[hurdemz]

Tier 1 ;
mcdavid

Tier 2;
Drai
Matthews
McKinnon
Hughes
Makar

This second Tier intertwines amongst each other. One or two guys seem to get a step ahead one year, then it's another one or 2 the next.

 

[Oneiro]

Eventually yes.

Drai’s lack of speed will eventually be a problem. I feel that Hughes will for sure surpass MacKinnon - just way more tools to dissect teams and in a smooth efficient way which will age well.

Hughes vs. Matthews is the most interesting one. Their 30s will decide it I think.

I think he’s tracking to be somewhat better than Kucherov, who I think is somehow one of the most underrated players in this league’s history despite his accomplishments. I take prime Kuch above MacKinnon as well.

 

[Score08]

How is the guy who finished second in goals scored last year not mentioned yet?

 

[CBJx614]

Didn't you know that' honor has already been given to Bedard?!

 

[Kiekura]

Possible. Amazing player and he just keeps getting better. I was so wrong about him few years ago

 

[abo9]

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.

Eric Staal scored 100 pts in his 2nd season.

Development isnt linear.

Thats not to say that Jack Hughes cant become even better, but comparing his development curve and Mackinnon's is like apple to orange comparison - I dont expected Hughes to explode and go for 140 pts anytime soon

 

[Washed Up 29YearOld]

Top 3 at some point AINEC

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Second best player in the league is a massive leap, he's the most exciting player the Devils have ever drafted but there are way too many players in the same tier as him for him to clearly separate himself from 3rd.
I could see it for a brief period when he's still in his peak and Drai, Mack ect are starting their declines but I'd be shocked if it happened.

 

[Buck Naked]

Eric Staal scored 100 pts in his 2nd season.

Development isnt linear.

Thats not to say that Jack Hughes cant become even better, but comparing his development curve and Mackinnon's is like apple to orange comparison - I dont expected Hughes to explode and go for 140 pts anytime soon

Then why compare any players at all? Their development isn't linear, their situations differ, context matters, what day of the week is it?

 

[ACC1224]

Sure he can if a bunch of other guys suddenly retire.

 

[soothsayer]

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.

Draisaitl has 16pts in 13 games his first playoffs.

 

[Zalos]

Draisaitl is number two until proven otherwise over multiple years.

 

[Voight]

MacKinnon is also very good! as is Draisaitl!

idk if Kucherov is still there but he could be!

He's most certainly there. 3rd in points, 2nd in assists last year.

 

[Golden_Jet]

It’s possible, but I’ll take the field.

 

[Three On Zero]

Possibly yes, but it all depends how individuals value players.

If you are a stat watcher and purely value points, no

If you value 2 way play or a more complete player, yes

 

[Shaftception]

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.

The league average goals per game in 16-17 was 2.77, where as last year was 3.18.

It's a pet peeve of mine when the effects of the last round of goalie equipment reductions and Vegas/Seattle expansions before 17-18/21-22 had on league scoring go unacknowledged when comparing stats from before and after said time periods.

[TABLE=collapse]
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10-11​

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14-15​

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15-16​

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16-17​

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[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

2.79​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.73​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.72​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.74​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.73​

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[TD]

2.71​

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[TD]

2.77​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

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[TR]
[TD]17-18[/TD]
[TD]18-19[/TD]
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[TD]23-24[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2.97[/TD]
[TD]3.01[/TD]
[TD]3.02[/TD]
[TD]2.94[/TD]
[TD]3.14[/TD]
[TD]3.18[/TD]
[TD]3.05[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Not commenting either way on Hughes' future potential, just that said comparison in proper context doesn't appear all that relevant.

 

[Buck Naked]

The league average goals per game in 16-17 was 2.77, where as last year was 3.18.

It's a pet peeve of mine when the effects of the last round of goalie equipment reductions and Vegas/Seattle expansions before 17-18/21-22 had on league scoring go unacknowledged when comparing stats from before and after said time periods.

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

10-11​

[/TD]

[TD]

11-12​

[/TD]

[TD]

12-13​

[/TD]

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13-14​

[/TD]

[TD]

14-15​

[/TD]

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15-16​

[/TD]

[TD]

16-17​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

2.79​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.73​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.72​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.74​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.73​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.71​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.77​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]17-18[/TD]
[TD]18-19[/TD]
[TD]19-20[/TD]
[TD]20-21[/TD]
[TD]21-22[/TD]
[TD]22-23[/TD]
[TD]23-24[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2.97[/TD]
[TD]3.01[/TD]
[TD]3.02[/TD]
[TD]2.94[/TD]
[TD]3.14[/TD]
[TD]3.18[/TD]
[TD]3.05[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Not commenting either way on Hughes' future potential, just that said comparison in proper context doesn't appear all that relevant.

Okay then, let's change it up for you. MacKinnon was 78th in the league in scoring, Hughes was 12th. Do you feel better now?

 

[Video Nasty]

Incredible how little certain players have to do to be deemed the belle of the ball by HFBoards.

 

[avgard]

m rantanen best player in league

all of yours so homers.there is better. believe it. look at this. thay making 'bad boys' of r stones sound 100 % bull shit. these guys are The rocknroll. hear it and spread the right word my friend. no more hogie and bogi around!

 

[filinski77]

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.

Worth noting that the question is "can he grow to be" the 2nd best player in the league? Mackinnon is 28, Draisaitl 27, Matthews 26. They're all statistically at the age where they most likely won't get better, and will start some type of decline any time now.

Whereas Hughes is 22 and has been getting better every year. In 3 years you have McDavid at 29 years old, and it wouldn't be shocking at all to see Hughes/Makar/Bedard be the top-3 players in the league.

 

[Jetcetera]

I can think of at least 10 players I'd rather have on my team before him