Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2023 offseason part II

[Devils731]

One thing about Hughes is how he crosses the blue line.

If you divide the blue line into thirds, Hughes is always looking to cross the blue line at the 1/3 or 2/3 hash mark. This is where both defenseman have the hardest time deciding and both properly reacting to if Hughes will go wide or go towards the center.

Since Hughes does things at such high speeds and can change his angles rapidly, if either defensemen react wrong then Hughes can attack the error and if both defenseman react correctly there is still a chance Hughes can force a play at one of them and try to win a 50/50 situation or just pull up and delay.

Attacking the blue line like this isn’t revolutionary but the number of times Hughes is able to do this per game is really high and the way he forces the defenseman to have to choose so rapidly and with such little confidence is unique.

 

[Guttersniped]

He can beat any player wide just by turning

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I really don’t think it’s the case with the young kids. Jack, Bratt, Nico all would’ve found their way to being these players. They’re too talented not to and all of them showed that talent from the start. They’re just flat out better than the Rangers young forwards. Mercer as well has gotten very similar usage to what Laf has. Difference is Mercer is capable of standing out more lower in the lineup and when given a top 6 shot has taken it and run with it every time he's gotten it. He was great when he got to play with Bratt to start his rookie year. He was productive later in that year when he got to play with Jack. We saw what he did last year with Nico and Tatar.

Nah the Buch trade was just awful. What are uou doing trading a mid 20s two way winger who just put up 48 pts in 54 games when you’re trying to compete? It’s not like the cap was the issue. He signed a very reasonable deal that the Rangers could’ve afforded had they not gone full caveman brain

Tom Wilson took a 12 gauge shotgun and blew their heads off from 2 feet away and caused them to panic with that roster. Also not trading for Eichel when he was available and using him as leverage to make Zibanejad to take even less or even trade him back for the assets in a proposed Eichel trade was an abject failure by NYR but their fans and beat writers will spin zone it in some fashion. Eichel winning the Cup in Vegas was so satisfying for that reason. Also agreed with your post, the guys we had all showed flashes but dumb coaching held them back for the most part. Hughes playing with John Hayden in his first game to nurse a 4-1 lead then eventually got blown in one of the most annoying games in our franchise history, Nico playing with the anchor known as Pavel Zacha and then don't get me started what Hynes did with Bratt for all these years. Hell, even Lindy scratched Bratt at times here.

 

[Better Call Sal]

One thing about Hughes is how he crosses the blue line.

If you divide the blue line into thirds, Hughes is always looking to cross the blue line at the 1/3 or 2/3 hash mark. This is where both defenseman have the hardest time deciding and both properly reacting to if Hughes will go wide or go towards the center.

Since Hughes does things at such high speeds and can change his angles rapidly, if either defensemen react wrong then Hughes can attack the error and if both defenseman react correctly there is still a chance Hughes can force a play at one of them and try to win a 50/50 situation or just pull up and delay.

Attacking the blue line like this isn’t revolutionary but the number of times Hughes is able to do this per game is really high and the way he forces the defenseman to have to choose so rapidly and with such little confidence is unique.

Awesome analysis.

 

[Clam Jensen]

8 more seasons of this......

We’re so lucky that any other scout didn’t think this type of skating and edge work was worthy of less than a 6th rounder.

 

[Billdo]

Nico playing with the anchor known as Pavel Zacha.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

I smell a breakout for Holtz, edgwork looks much improved.

 

[Hisch13r]

We’re so lucky that any other scout didn’t think this type of skating and edge work was worthy of less than a 6th rounder.

Thankfully Michael Nylander wasn’t working for an NHL team. He told the Leafs not to pass on Bratt

 

[Devs3cups]

Still lots of “Luke Hughes can’t play defense” posts on the main prospects board. It kind of irritates me lol.

Luke will never be a shutdown D-man and he doesn’t need to be. I’ve been happy with Luke’s strides defensively last season. I’ve said it before but NCAA coaches will let players do what they do best. Luke is an intelligent player, up with us, I’m sure he knows he needs to pick and choose his moments and do so responsibly.

I was very happy with how he handled himself defensively in his few games with us, he didn’t look out of place to me. His gaps looked good, he didn’t rush anything, and his transition from O to D helped in the D-zone. That’s where his elite skating will help with defense.

In brief I’m happy with his progress and I’m glad that he seems willing to be more responsible and learn at the next level without breaking his creativity. Even though his offense is most definitely his elite trait and his defense will never be his biggest strength (and there will be growing pains at times, as with any young offensive D-man), I think the takes on his defensive game as of now are overblown.

 

[Ripshot 43]

Still lots of “Luke Hughes can’t play defense” posts on the main prospects board. It kind of irritates me lol.

Luke will never be a shutdown D-man and he doesn’t need to be. I’ve been happy with Luke’s strides defensively last season. I’ve said it before but NCAA coaches will let players do what they do best. Luke is an intelligent player, up with us, I’m sure he knows he needs to pick and choose his moments and do so responsibly.

I was very happy with how he handled himself defensively in his few games with us, he didn’t look out of place to me. His gaps looked good, he didn’t rush anything, and his transition from O to D helped in the D-zone. That’s where his elite skating will help with defense.

In brief I’m happy with his progress and I’m glad that he seems willing to be more responsible and learn at the next level without breaking his creativity. Even though his offense is most definitely his elite trait and his defense will never be his biggest strength (and there will be growing pains at times, as with any young offensive D-man), I think the takes on his defensive game as of now are overblown.

Has anyone done a shift by shift video for any of Luke nhl games?

 

[Devs3cups]

Has anyone done a shift by shift video for any of Luke nhl games?

I’ve looked and I don’t so, but he looked more aware and responsible to me.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Still lots of “Luke Hughes can’t play defense” posts on the main prospects board. It kind of irritates me lol.

Luke will never be a shutdown D-man and he doesn’t need to be. I’ve been happy with Luke’s strides defensively last season. I’ve said it before but NCAA coaches will let players do what they do best. Luke is an intelligent player, up with us, I’m sure he knows he needs to pick and choose his moments and do so responsibly.

I was very happy with how he handled himself defensively in his few games with us, he didn’t look out of place to me. His gaps looked good, he didn’t rush anything, and his transition from O to D helped in the D-zone. That’s where his elite skating will help with defense.

In brief I’m happy with his progress and I’m glad that he seems willing to be more responsible and learn at the next level without breaking his creativity. Even though his offense is most definitely his elite trait and his defense will never be his biggest strength (and there will be growing pains at times, as with any young offensive D-man), I think the takes on his defensive game as of now are overblown.

He’s not Brock Faber defensively but his best defense is his transition game and retrieval ability. Outside fans can’t seem to comprehend that.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

He does things on skates that don't look possible. He seems to float above the ice. It's like his physics are different than everyone else's. Jack physics. He can go full speed straight, then all of a sudden he's going 90 degrees left or right. But it's like he didn't have to slow down or turn to do it.

found myself mesmerized by this yet again last night. I feel like he looks like the fastest skater alive because all his limbs can go a different direction at the same time and somehow he still holds onto the puck.

However you do often see that he’s not actually getting separation from a defender. But somehow he’s able to contort his whole body and stick handle while keeping his feet moving,so he can protect the puck and avoid sticks even when he’s right up against someone. And then the defender stops skating to try and make a play, and Jack just keeps on trucking, and then he’s gone. I think it’s the psychology of his play that’s so crazy. He’s always weighing three different ways to attack, and when something doesn’t work, he already has two backup plays ready and he can execute them in an instant.

 

[Devil X]

I smell a breakout for Holtz, edgwork looks much improved.

He does look much quicker. Looks like he has been working hard this offseason.

Still lots of “Luke Hughes can’t play defense” posts on the main prospects board. It kind of irritates me lol.

Luke will never be a shutdown D-man and he doesn’t need to be. I’ve been happy with Luke’s strides defensively last season. I’ve said it before but NCAA coaches will let players do what they do best. Luke is an intelligent player, up with us, I’m sure he knows he needs to pick and choose his moments and do so responsibly.

I was very happy with how he handled himself defensively in his few games with us, he didn’t look out of place to me. His gaps looked good, he didn’t rush anything, and his transition from O to D helped in the D-zone. That’s where his elite skating will help with defense.

In brief I’m happy with his progress and I’m glad that he seems willing to be more responsible and learn at the next level without breaking his creativity. Even though his offense is most definitely his elite trait and his defense will never be his biggest strength (and there will be growing pains at times, as with any young offensive D-man), I think the takes on his defensive game as of now are overblown.

This is jealousy speaking IMO. They dont want to fathom the idea that Luke will be that kind of a star because of what it makes the Devils look like.

Fact is he will be better defensively then Quinn is long term and probably slightly less then Quinn is offensively. Hell i know its their brother but haven't they both said Luke is better then them.

 

[Blender]

Still lots of “Luke Hughes can’t play defense” posts on the main prospects board. It kind of irritates me lol.

Luke will never be a shutdown D-man and he doesn’t need to be. I’ve been happy with Luke’s strides defensively last season. I’ve said it before but NCAA coaches will let players do what they do best. Luke is an intelligent player, up with us, I’m sure he knows he needs to pick and choose his moments and do so responsibly.

I was very happy with how he handled himself defensively in his few games with us, he didn’t look out of place to me. His gaps looked good, he didn’t rush anything, and his transition from O to D helped in the D-zone. That’s where his elite skating will help with defense.

In brief I’m happy with his progress and I’m glad that he seems willing to be more responsible and learn at the next level without breaking his creativity. Even though his offense is most definitely his elite trait and his defense will never be his biggest strength (and there will be growing pains at times, as with any young offensive D-man), I think the takes on his defensive game as of now are overblown.

How wide does Luke turn? Can he play against men?

 

[Camille the Eel]

One thing about Hughes is how he crosses the blue line.

If you divide the blue line into thirds, Hughes is always looking to cross the blue line at the 1/3 or 2/3 hash mark. This is where both defenseman have the hardest time deciding and both properly reacting to if Hughes will go wide or go towards the center.

Since Hughes does things at such high speeds and can change his angles rapidly, if either defensemen react wrong then Hughes can attack the error and if both defenseman react correctly there is still a chance Hughes can force a play at one of them and try to win a 50/50 situation or just pull up and delay.

Attacking the blue line like this isn’t revolutionary but the number of times Hughes is able to do this per game is really high and the way he forces the defenseman to have to choose so rapidly and with such little confidence is unique.

He has amazing lateral movement. As good as you will ever see and maybe the best in fact I’ve ever seen.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Luke’s a bit of a unicorn in that i think he’s a MUCH better defender than he generally gets credit for, but IMO he actually isn’t the sort of cerebral playmaking defenseman that people think of when they think of modern offensive D. That’s more Nemec’s game, where Luke will make space with his hands and feet and then use that space to either hit an open player or create a scoring chance.

 

[JimEIV]

Fact is he will be better defensively then Quinn is long term and probably slightly less then Quinn is offensively. Hell i know its their brother but haven't they both said Luke is better then them.

I think Luke will be better all around than Quinn. His size and speed is something that will elevate him above Quinn.

Quinn has a pretty high water mark with 76 points last season and Luke may not achieve that high of a point total...but so much of Quinn's totals are PP assist. Overall Quinn has 241 career points... 215 of them are assist and half of those assist are PP assist.

I think Luke is going to become a more integral part of New Jersey's 5v5 offense and he will produce more than Quinn at even strength and I think Luke is naturally a better goal scorer than Quinn. After 5 years in the league Quinn has 26 goals. Luke will blow that away in the same amount of time. I'm positive of that.

 

[forceten]

Agree - Luke may even end up better than Jack!

 

[Lou is God]

Agree - Luke may even end up better than Jack!

If that happens God help the rest of the league. They're going to need it.

 

[Xirik]

I think people for some reason have the belief that if someone is godly in one area of the game they have be weak in the others.

I blame them vidya games!

 

[Hisch13r]

Chances of Luke being better than Jack are to slim to none. He’d have to be the best Dman in the world

 

[Guadana]

I would slow down expectations about Luke being better than Jack.

 

[Devs3cups]

Chances of Luke being better than Jack are to slim to none. He’d have to be the best Dman in the world

Yeah, I’d say there’s definitely a chance he could end up being on par with Quinn or better than him in the long run, but Jack is a stretch.

 

[Hisch13r]

Yeah, I’d say there’s definitely a chance he could end up being on par with Quinn and/or better than him in the long run, but Jack is a stretch.

Agreed. That’s also where my bar would be set. Quinn’s like a top 10ish D. I think Quinn’s defense is better than the reputation but I also suspect Luke ends up better. Offensively I know Luke’s outproduced Quinn at every year of their development but I’m still not sure Luke ends up on the same level in the NHL. Expecting a consistent 70-80 pt Dman is a lot