LD Luke Hughes (2021, 4th, NJD)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Doesn't Luke have better offensive numbers than Quinn at similar levels?

Luke plays for a better age group. Quinn is more naturally talented offensively. It’s not all that close either.

 

[Siludin]

Doesn't Luke have better offensive numbers than Quinn at similar levels?

It's hard to compare because Quinn was already 18 in his draft year (October birthday) while Luke has an August birthday.

If we look at Quinn's D-1 season (which is probably the closest approximation to Luke's draft season it looks like this:

Luke:

2020-21	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	38	6	28	34	14		|
	USNTDP Juniors	USHL	18	4	11	15	8	5

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Quinn:

2016-17	USNTDP Juniors	USHL	26	4	22	26	10	-1	|
	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	65	10	43	53	30

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Pretty comparable outputs. You could say that Quinn had played one more season worth of hockey at the same age, but Luke had two older brothers who are phenom top-10 pick NHLers, so maybe we call it a relatively even advantage?

Quinn was drafted the following year after putting up really good rookie college numbers and playing in that year's World Championships, which I am sure Luke is perfectly capable of doing himself next year if he doesn't make the jump directly (and by all indications it looks like he will play NCAA).

 

[StreetHawk]

There likely is bias from NJ and Van fans about Luke's game compared to the other Dmen in this draft, so really interested from a Van perspective, as I'm not in the camp of let's try to grab Luke, so would really like to know what other fan bases think of Luke compared to the other Dmen like Power, Lambos, Clarke, Evindsson?

 

[newfy]

I think Luke is going to be the prospect in this draft that surprises people one way or the other. I could see someone liking his skating and size and taking him like first. I could also see people thinking he doesnt have any obvious stand out traits besides his skating and he falls a lot further than is expected.

Hard to peg exactly where hes gonna go as of now

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

There likely is bias from NJ and Van fans about Luke's game compared to the other Dmen in this draft, so really interested from a Van perspective, as I'm not in the camp of let's try to grab Luke, so would really like to know what other fan bases think of Luke compared to the other Dmen like Power, Lambos, Clarke, Evindsson?

I'm not criticizing you or anyone in particular, but I think this idea that Luke isn't a top prospect and is only being talked about because he has two brothers recently drafted and in the NHL is wrong. I could see the argument for Power, Clarke, and Edvinsson over Hughes. Lambos, not so sure. I don't think there's really a consensus on the order of those top three defensemen, so there are pros and cons to picking all of them first.

People will say Power doesn't have any elite tools, but being very good in a lot of areas and also being 6'6 often does result in a 1D. It might be hard for teams to pass up a player whose floor is somewhere around Parayko level. And with a few improvements, I don't see why something around Hedman level isn't a potential outcome. High floor, high ceiling.

Hughes is probably the best skater in draft. His acceleration and edges are both elite, as is his ability to get back defensively. It allows him to play a very aggressive game offensively because he recovers so well. Offensively, he doesn't have the pure offensive skills of Jack or Quinn, but I think he's a PP defenseman in the NHL, and maybe PP1. He has pretty underrated offensive skills and I like his instincts in the offensive end. I think there's a very realistic Heiskanen level ceiling in his game, and his floor is also pretty high as an elite skater who brings enough value in all three zones, at bare minimum to play top 4. Like with Power, his defensive game isn't bad right now, but it's more about potential than the current product. Once he learns the right balance in being aggressive offensively, his defensive game will improve. He also needs to get a lot stronger. He's not an instant NHL'er.

Clarke is the most dynamic of the three. He has the best puck skills, he has the best passing, shooting. His skating will get tagged as the weakest of the three, but the way he plays with how aggressive he is offensively with the plays he'll try to make going at defenders, it doesn't really play all that weak, at least against lower level competition. He attacks with his skating more than Power, and you could argue Hughes, although Hughes attacks with his skating in a different type of way. Hughes attacks with his skating to cover ground and be a number in the play as opposed to Clarke who attacks with his skating to directly create scoring chances. Defensively, I think he's at least average. Maybe he's a little better, but he plays a risky game. He probably has the lowest defensive potential of the three and his skating will probably be tagged as the worst of the three. I'm not sure either is a real weakness though.

Edvinsson, I would put him on a lower tier than the other three, but I can see the argument for him to be in that same tier. He combines puck skills, offensive instincts, along with good size and skating. He may not have Power's size or Clarke's offensive ability or Hughes skating, but a 6'4 defenseman who can skate and has good offensive ability is going to be picked high. The question surrounding him is how he processes the game and his defense. His game is very much more about his potential right now than the finished product. I do think though that there are more concerns with his game because he probably has the biggest weakness to answer to with his sense/defense of the four, and I'm not sure he has the one elite calling card. But certainly a pretty intriguing skill-set that will have him drafted pretty high.

 

[StreetHawk]

I'm not criticizing you or anyone in particular, but I think this idea that Luke isn't a top prospect and is only being talked about because he has two brothers recently drafted and in the NHL is wrong. I could see the argument for Power, Clarke, and Edvinsson over Hughes. Lambos, not so sure. I don't think there's really a consensus on the order of those top three defensemen, so there are pros and cons to picking all of them first.

I'm just saying that if you changed his last name from Hughes to Hayes, where does he truly rank amongst the top Dmen. If he's legitimately better than the others, you take him, but you shouldn't bypass a Power/Clarke just because of his last name if he doesn't project to be better than them.

This is probably similar to the 2018 draft when it got to Boqvist, Bouchard, Dobson. All very close, just a matter of styles and characteristics that you value more. Skating, Size, Defensive Ability, puck movement, etc.

 

[Teemu]

 

[lawrence]

What the hell happened ? Also where are the torn ligaments?

 

[lawrence]

I'm just saying that if you changed his last name from Hughes to Hayes, where does he truly rank amongst the top Dmen. If he's legitimately better than the others, you take him, but you shouldn't bypass a Power/Clarke just because of his last name if he doesn't project to be better than them.

This is probably similar to the 2018 draft when it got to Boqvist, Bouchard, Dobson. All very close, just a matter of styles and characteristics that you value more. Skating, Size, Defensive Ability, puck movement, etc.

I think Hughes will be the 4th dman picked.

powers Clarke and evidson goes ahead of him in terms of ranking the dmans. I don’t expect the Canucks to reach for him if he’s not the bpa at the time of our selection.

 

[Dominance]

What the hell happened ?

Must be breaking news, I can’t find any mention of it anywhere else. Possibly an off-ice injury? How does someone even tear foot ligaments?

 

[Eggtimer]

I cannot find anything anywhere that’s says he is injured?

 

[gstommylee]

What the hell happened ? Also where are the torn ligaments?

Assuming its an ankle injury. It would be on the front side of the ankle. Its what attaches the fib and tib to the ankle.

 

[Baaaaaaaaaaaaah]

For a kid where skating is his defining attribute, this is horrifying.

 

[gstommylee]

For a kid where skating is his defining attribute, this is horrifying.

Hopefully its not like with knee ligament injuries where if you had one knee ligament injury it increases the likeliness of having the other knee having a ligament injury as well.

 

[405Entrance]

Damn hopefully it’s nothing major

 

[gstommylee]

well looking it up usually it has a 3 to 6 months recovery if its a tear but it being ankle and he's a hockey player rehabbing might be a long process.

 

[StreetHawk]

He is set to join Michigan in the fall. Have to wait and see whether this delays his appearance in the NHL until after his Sophomore season at Michigan.

He's still going to go in the first round, in the lottery section. Krebs fell a bit in 2019, but still went in the teens just a few spots lower than maybe where he could have gone.

 

[MBH]

As a stylistic comparison, I think 2008 is fair. Talent pool is probably closer to 2018.

But the genetic makeup of this draft... we could see four or five defenders drafted inside the top ten, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some combination of Hughes, Power, Clarke, and Edvinsson are the first four names off the board.

I think the 2018 is going to end up as a monster draft class for defensemen.

Dahline
Hughes
Boqvist
Bouchard
Dobson
Smith
Miller
Romanov
Sandin
And many more still coming

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

There goes our chance at winning World U18’s. I hope this now leads to a permanent promotion for Chesley.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He was never going to play in the NHL next season, regardless of what number pick he is. He’ll probably be ready to return for the start of Michigan’s season next year.

 

[Eggtimer]

If I am the Devils and Clarke and Powers are already gone, I still go Hughes regardless of injury

 

[Gliff]

Is there any other source or info on his injury?

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I'm not criticizing you or anyone in particular, but I think this idea that Luke isn't a top prospect and is only being talked about because he has two brothers recently drafted and in the NHL is wrong. I could see the argument for Power, Clarke, and Edvinsson over Hughes. Lambos, not so sure. I don't think there's really a consensus on the order of those top three defensemen, so there are pros and cons to picking all of them first.

People will say Power doesn't have any elite tools, but being very good in a lot of areas and also being 6'6 often does result in a 1D. It might be hard for teams to pass up a player whose floor is somewhere around Parayko level. And with a few improvements, I don't see why something around Hedman level isn't a potential outcome. High floor, high ceiling.

Hughes is probably the best skater in draft. His acceleration and edges are both elite, as is his ability to get back defensively. It allows him to play a very aggressive game offensively because he recovers so well. Offensively, he doesn't have the pure offensive skills of Jack or Quinn, but I think he's a PP defenseman in the NHL, and maybe PP1. He has pretty underrated offensive skills and I like his instincts in the offensive end. I think there's a very realistic Heiskanen level ceiling in his game, and his floor is also pretty high as an elite skater who brings enough value in all three zones, at bare minimum to play top 4. Like with Power, his defensive game isn't bad right now, but it's more about potential than the current product. Once he learns the right balance in being aggressive offensively, his defensive game will improve. He also needs to get a lot stronger. He's not an instant NHL'er.

Clarke is the most dynamic of the three. He has the best puck skills, he has the best passing, shooting. His skating will get tagged as the weakest of the three, but the way he plays with how aggressive he is offensively with the plays he'll try to make going at defenders, it doesn't really play all that weak, at least against lower level competition. He attacks with his skating more than Power, and you could argue Hughes, although Hughes attacks with his skating in a different type of way. Hughes attacks with his skating to cover ground and be a number in the play as opposed to Clarke who attacks with his skating to directly create scoring chances. Defensively, I think he's at least average. Maybe he's a little better, but he plays a risky game. He probably has the lowest defensive potential of the three and his skating will probably be tagged as the worst of the three. I'm not sure either is a real weakness though.

Edvinsson, I would put him on a lower tier than the other three, but I can see the argument for him to be in that same tier. He combines puck skills, offensive instincts, along with good size and skating. He may not have Power's size or Clarke's offensive ability or Hughes skating, but a 6'4 defenseman who can skate and has good offensive ability is going to be picked high. The question surrounding him is how he processes the game and his defense. His game is very much more about his potential right now than the finished product. I do think though that there are more concerns with his game because he probably has the biggest weakness to answer to with his sense/defense of the four, and I'm not sure he has the one elite calling card. But certainly a pretty intriguing skill-set that will have him drafted pretty high.

I think you're spot on about Hughes, Power and Clarke. I don't think Clarke is a terrible skater, but he's not in the same league as any of the Hughes brothers. His forward skating can be blazing fast, but moving backwards and laterally is where Clarke needs to work on improving the most.

Earlier this season I was intrigued by Edvinsson because of the size/skill/speed package but I can't help but think he's just another Broberg. Lots of potential, great athletic abilities, decision making that will make you question if he can tie his own skates. I think this pushes him to the fringe of the top 10 or even outside of it when some of the WHL/QMJHL forwards heat up.

 

[lawrence]

JD Burke known by many Canuck fans in this community to blow a lot of smoke. A lot of us don't agree with what he says, makes up trade up rumors, false headlines and many other B.S. I wouldn't take a word he says.

Game Center

this was Hughes team most recent game……..

he didn’t play…..


Game Center

According to this Hughes hasn’t played since March 7

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

JD Burke known by many Canuck fans in this community to blow a lot of smoke. A lot of us don't agree with what he says, makes up trade up rumors, false headlines and many other B.S. I wouldn't take a word he says.

Game Center

this was Hughes team most recent game……..

he didn’t play…..

The smoke blowin' take goes beyond the Canucks community. Would seem a bit bold even for him to broadcast the injury