LD Luke Hughes (2021, 4th, NJD)

[bsu]

I dont have a problem with your projection, but Luke Hughes has more skating ability in his pinkey than Cam Fowler ever had at his peak

I am one of the biggest Fowler haters on the Anaheim board (check my posts about him from me or ask anyone) but this comment is just straight unknowledgeable and out right ridiculous. Fowler is one of the best skaters in the NHL. His biggest issue is he leaves you wanting more but that comes from his elite skating.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

This is a Luke Hughes thread so I'll stop litigating Quinn's career now.

You brought it up, be prepared to defend it.

 

[bossram]

You brought it up, be prepared to defend it.

And I did. I'll accept your rebuttal as a lack of credible counter-arguments.

 

[Raian]

I am one of the biggest Fowler haters on the Anaheim board (check my posts about him from me or ask anyone) but this comment is just straight unknowledgeable and out right ridiculous. Fowler is one of the best skaters in the NHL. His biggest issue is he leaves you wanting more but that comes from his elite skating.

I never said Fowler wasnt a great skater

but Luke is almost a better skater now than Fowler is, and Luke isnt even 18. His stride is incredibly long for his height and, once he gains man strength, will likely be a top-15 skater in the league. His brother Jack is the best skater of The three and is already a top-15 skater, and Quinn isnt far behind that top-15

Perhaps I see Lukes skating as greater than it is because I see Karlsson-like ability (skating wise)

 

[simonedvinsson]

I don't know how you guys can call it like there's a night and day difference between Quinn's skating and Luke's. Going into the draft, their skating looks to be about the same tier to my eyes: 18-year-old Quinn Hughes versus 17-year-old Luke Hughes. It's too easy to compare the NHLer to the USHL player, and that gives Quinn an unfair advantage. At the same age, I think they're very close.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

And I did. I'll accept your rebuttal as a lack of credible counter-arguments.

I assumed you were done "talking Quinn Hughes" in a Luke Hughes thread so I didn't respond to any of your flimsy points, one of which was admiting that Quinn tanked against slightly more difficult minutes this year. I'm not typing a full response from my phone but will happily oblige tomorrow.

 

[Martinez]

Has there been any further or concrete evidence reported in regards to some possible "diva attitude" with Luke?

Button addressed that quite well on the latest podcast episode of tracking the draft

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Button addressed that quite well on the latest podcast episode of tracking the draft

what did he say?

 

[Martinez]

what did he say?

I’m actually not sure what episode it was but basically there’s nothing that turns scouts off about lukes attitude/personality that they weren’t also turned off by Quinn and jack’s as well. Some scouts love the Hughes brothers personalities and some scouts don’t. That’s was the gist of it from what I remember.

 

[Gliff]

I never said Fowler wasnt a great skater

but Luke is almost a better skater now than Fowler is, and Luke isnt even 18. His stride is incredibly long for his height and, once he gains man strength, will likely be a top-15 skater in the league. His brother Jack is the best skater of The three and is already a top-15 skater, and Quinn isnt far behind that top-15

Perhaps I see Lukes skating as greater than it is because I see Karlsson-like ability (skating wise)

Sounds a lot like you did lol

Luke Hughes has more skating ability in his pinkey than Cam Fowler ever had at his peak

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I’m actually not sure what episode it was but basically there’s nothing that turns scouts off about lukes attitude/personality that they weren’t also turned off by Quinn and jack’s as well. Some scouts love the Hughes brothers personalities and some scouts don’t. That’s was the gist of it from what I remember.

They seem like smartasses and they're a little cocky but that's ok. I like players with personality instead of the typical robotic hockey players that are always being pushed forward by the league.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

They seem like smartasses and they're a little cocky but that's ok. I like players with personality instead of the typical robotic hockey players that are always being pushed forward by the league.

Not for nothing, you don't hear anything about the Devils' veterans having any issues with Jack. And the fact that he didn't shy away from the fact that he wasn't good in his rookie year (instead of blaming coaching, supporting cast, etc) shows that he's realistically confident about his abilities.

 

[Raian]

Sounds a lot like you did lol

Or it speaks to how incredible a skater Luke Hughes is

Cam Fowlers isnt even on the same level a skater as Luke is at 17, and Fowler is in his prime.

 

[nbducksfan19]

Or it speaks to how incredible a skater Luke Hughes is

Cam Fowlers isnt even on the same level a skater as Luke is at 17, and Fowler is in his prime.

This is either an awful take or a weird back-tracking. Cam Fowler was considered an elite skater in his draft and has been an elite skater in the NHL. I dont like Cam as a player, but there is no debating his skating.

Luke is also a wonderful skater, but there is no scenario where "Luke Hughes has more skating ability in his pinkey than Cam Fowler ever had at his peak". You would be better off just saying you were wrong.

 

[Gliff]

Or it speaks to how incredible a skater Luke Hughes is

Cam Fowlers isnt even on the same level a skater as Luke is at 17, and Fowler is in his prime.

Ya you’re just wrong. Sorry bud.

I’m a Ducks fan that has Hughes as #1 on his draft list and I still think it is insane to say something like that.

 

[bsu]

Or it speaks to how incredible a skater Luke Hughes is

Cam Fowlers isnt even on the same level a skater as Luke is at 17, and Fowler is in his prime.

You are making yourself look even worse. Just stop.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

This is either an awful take or a weird back-tracking. Cam Fowler was considered an elite skater in his draft and has been an elite skater in the NHL. I dont like Cam as a player, but there is no debating his skating.

Luke is also a wonderful skater, but there is no scenario where "Luke Hughes has more skating ability in his pinkey than Cam Fowler ever had at his peak". You would be better off just saying you were wrong.

This.

Here's a bit about Fowler during his draft year.

Cam Fowler | Cam Fowler Profile | Cam Fowler Scouting Report 2010

"He is an unbelievably smooth skater (one of the best in this draft), and possesses fantastic speed. He is quite agile in the defensive end, and his skating makes him a valuable contributor on the rush and in the offensive zone."

Cam Fowler - Hockey's Future

"Fowler is an offensively oriented defenseman in the mold of a Scott Niedermayer. He is an excellent skater and puck handler, and his instincts and hockey sense are as good as any defenseman in his draft class."

https://thehockeywriters.com/2010-nhl-entry-draft-prospect-cam-fowler/
"He is an elite skating, savvy puck carrying, two-way blueliner."

Previewing the Draft: Cam Fowler
"He's as good as a skater as you're going to find in the draft," one scout said. "But I find sometimes you get so enamored with the fact that he already is an NHL-caliber skater that you forget about his shortcomings.....[He] is really going to struggle if he doesn't get more accustomed away from the puck."

Luke is a great skater in his draft year. Probably top 3 or top 5 in his draft.
Quinn was a great skater in his draft year. Also probably top 3 or 5 in his draft.
Cam Fowler was also a great skater in his draft year. Also probably top 3 or 5 in his draft.

 

[Raian]

This is either an awful take or a weird back-tracking. Cam Fowler was considered an elite skater in his draft and has been an elite skater in the NHL. I dont like Cam as a player, but there is no debating his skating.

Luke is also a wonderful skater, but there is no scenario where "Luke Hughes has more skating ability in his pinkey than Cam Fowler ever had at his peak". You would be better off just saying you were wrong.

Ya you’re just wrong. Sorry bud.

I’m a Ducks fan that has Hughes as #1 on his draft list and I still think it is insane to say something like that.

You are making yourself look even worse. Just stop.

Point is - Luke Hughes is a better skater at 17 than Fowler was at 17 (by a lot) and likely will be a better skater than Fowler is now before Luke even turns 24

Luke Hughes is a better skater than Dahlin was in his draft, and is up there with Erik Karlsson in terms of pre-draft skating

 

[Raian]

This.

Here's a bit about Fowler during his draft year.

Cam Fowler | Cam Fowler Profile | Cam Fowler Scouting Report 2010

"He is an unbelievably smooth skater (one of the best in this draft), and possesses fantastic speed. He is quite agile in the defensive end, and his skating makes him a valuable contributor on the rush and in the offensive zone."

Cam Fowler - Hockey's Future

"Fowler is an offensively oriented defenseman in the mold of a Scott Niedermayer. He is an excellent skater and puck handler, and his instincts and hockey sense are as good as any defenseman in his draft class."

https://thehockeywriters.com/2010-nhl-entry-draft-prospect-cam-fowler/
"He is an elite skating, savvy puck carrying, two-way blueliner."

Previewing the Draft: Cam Fowler
"He's as good as a skater as you're going to find in the draft," one scout said. "But I find sometimes you get so enamored with the fact that he already is an NHL-caliber skater that you forget about his shortcomings.....[He] is really going to struggle if he doesn't get more accustomed away from the puck."

Luke is a great skater in his draft year. Probably top 3 or top 5 in his draft.
Quinn was a great skater in his draft year. Also probably top 3 or 5 in his draft.
Cam Fowler was also a great skater in his draft year. Also probably top 3 or 5 in his draft.

There isnt a soul in this draft whos anywhere near Lukes skating

say im wrong about Fowler all you want but you musn't be too familiar with this draft if you think 3-5 guys are better skaters than him.

 

[Gliff]

Point is - Luke Hughes is a better skater at 17 than Fowler was at 17 (by a lot) and likely will be a better skater than Fowler is now before Luke even turns 24

Luke Hughes is a better skater than Dahlin was in his draft, and is up there with Erik Karlsson in terms of pre-draft skating

Point is - no one agrees with you.

They are both great and it is splitting hairs to say one is better. But you’re just wrong to say Hughes is better “by a lot”.

 

[Raian]

Point is - no one agrees with you.

They are both great and it is splitting hairs to say one is better. But you’re just wrong to say Hughes is better “by a lot”.

Its a personal opinion, Im not wrong to say anything.

Quinn and Jack are proving to be some of the games most elite skaters, at 22 and 20 respectively. Luke is a better skater Than Quinn was at 17, while having a longer stride that will only increase his explosiveness and acceleration as he gets his man strength.

Are you going to argue Cam Fowler is near as good a skater as Quinn? If so then we certainly agree to disagree. I see the three Hughes' bros as some of the smoothest and best skating players in years, and are a symbol of what hockey is becoming (extremely fast and skilled)

 

[bsu]

Just let it go guys. Maybe that is Luke Hughes posting. Imagine thinking a 17 year old playing against children is a better skater than one of the best skaters in the best league in the world.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

There isnt a soul in this draft whos anywhere near Lukes skating

say im wrong about Fowler all you want but you musn't be too familiar with this draft if you think 3-5 guys are better skaters than him.

I've been following a lot of players in this draft, Luke Hughes being one of them. And being from Detroit I had the opportunity to watch the kid prior to COVID on the U17 team in person.

Is he a great skater? Yes.
Is he the clear cut best skater in the draft? That's a huge maybe. We aren't scoring these kids like it's EA Sports NHL2021 and Luke Hughes has a 99 for speed and agility while everyone else has an 80. He's not the second coming of Paul Coffey and he's not going to be playing against a bunch of beer league level pylons like many teams had in the 80's and 90's. His skating advantage is going to diminish a bit when moving up to the NHL.

Here's a few players that are in his ballpark in terms of skating ability.

Oskar Olausson is a terrific skater. He combines great acceleration, great agility with a high motor and good hands.

Simon Edvinsson's greatest strength is his skating ability and combined with his elite athleticism it will make him tough to play against, but his on-puck play makes me think he's going to only become a defensive defenseman with it.

Fabian Lysell is another amazing all-direction skater. This kid can dart in and out of traffic as good as anyone I've seen in the draft.

Carson Lambos is in contention for top 5 or top 10 for his overall skating ability. It's not as smooth as Luke but it's very powerful.

Alex Kisakov is tiny but he's also a phenomenal skater. If this kid weren't 5'9" when in skates with the guards on he'd be a top 10 player in the draft.

 

[Raian]

I've been following a lot of players in this draft, Luke Hughes being one of them. And being from Detroit I had the opportunity to watch the kid prior to COVID on the U17 team in person.

Is he a great skater? Yes.
Is he the clear cut best skater in the draft? That's a huge maybe. We aren't scoring these kids like it's EA Sports NHL2021 and Luke Hughes has a 99 for speed and agility while everyone else has an 80. He's not the second coming of Paul Coffey and he's not going to be playing against a bunch of beer league level pylons like many teams had in the 80's and 90's. His skating advantage is going to diminish a bit when moving up to the NHL.

Here's a few players that are in his ballpark in terms of skating ability.

Oskar Olausson is a terrific skater. He combines great acceleration, great agility with a high motor and good hands.

Simon Edvinsson's greatest strength is his skating ability and combined with his elite athleticism it will make him tough to play against, but his on-puck play makes me think he's going to only become a defensive defenseman with it.

Fabian Lysell is another amazing all-direction skater. This kid can dart in and out of traffic as good as anyone I've seen in the draft.

Carson Lambos is in contention for top 5 or top 10 for his overall skating ability. It's not as smooth as Luke but it's very powerful.

Alex Kisakov is tiny but he's also a phenomenal skater. If this kid weren't 5'9" when in skates with the guards on he'd be a top 10 player in the draft.

And which one are you putting above Luke?

Its easy to name players who are near him, but I doubt youd give the nod to any of them over Luke.

 

[Raian]

Just let it go guys. Maybe that is Luke Hughes posting. Imagine thinking a 17 year old playing against children is a better skater than one of the best skaters in the best league in the world.

So now CamFowler is one if the best skaters in the NHL?

its starting to make sense now, youre an Anaheim fan it seems

Edit; not worth it