LD Luke Hughes (2021, 4th, NJD)

[Nocashstyle]

I said they should have gone top 4, not 1 and 2. (Though I would have taken Eklund at 1 for certain)

Luke Hughes was lower on a lot of lists. Most had him nowhere in the top 5, some even outside of the top 10. Am I insinuating that Hughes went at 4 because of his brother? Nope. I'm outright saying it.

The kid has the potential to be a pretty good hockey player, but I don't think Columbus, Detroit, San Jose and possibly even LA pick him over who they picked 5 through 8.

Cool man. You’ve already been proven wrong above. And the sample size of this season is so small right now I don’t think anyone’s stock has changed just yet. Even so, L Hughes’ start at Michigan is exactly what you would expect it to be.

 

[My3Sons]

The Dallas GM was quoted as saying during the preseason that they had Edvinsson rated ahead of even Owen Power at #1.

Post draft, Edvinsson's performance in Sweden with Frolunda early this season is being called a breakthrough by Swedish observers and is reminiscent of what Seider is doing at Detroit as a rookie the NHL this year with 3 points in 2 games so far averaging 22:55 TOI, and playing in all kinds of situations including on both special teams to start his NHL career. Interestingly Detroit drafted both players at #6 in their respective drafts and have the potential to be among the best from their draft class when all is said and done.

In today's game, Edvinsson played a season high 25:18, almost 4 minutes more than anyone else on the team. That is how much his team depends upon him as an 18 y.o. rookie defenceman with Frolunda.

As much as I like Luke Hughes(and his brothers), I would have to say I am much more impressed by the progress Edvinsson has made in the SHL early this season as a top line defenceman with some mentioning that that he has the potential to be a franchise NHL defenceman down the road just like Seider.

Fredrik Janlind of http://GP.se writes: "His performance is reminiscent of Rasmus Dahlin's breakthrough. With Dahlin it was the offensive upside that was without equal. With Edvinsson it's the entire package. He has barely any weaknesses."

I also believe that Luke Hughes benefited from the impact and reputation of his brothers in the NHL with the name recognition allowing him to be drafted higher than he would otherwise would have.

It's certainly reasonable to choose Edvinsson over Hughes. That said, I think the nepotism thing is looked at incorrectly. I think in a covid impacted draft where you don't get to meet the prospects and have to rely way more on video and remote interviews, NJ had a unique insight into Luke shared only by Vancouver. They must have had significant family contact and had a much better sense of Luke's off ice habits, demeanor, and intangibles than any other prospect except perhaps for Brandt Clarke. Before the draft order was set, my thought was that Hughes would be seen as a "safe" pick by risk averse general managers. Any concerns about attitude, work ethic, drive, determination, etc. have largely been answered by his two smaller brothers. Quinn is already an impact if imperfect player and I think Jack is on his way there. What do you think are the chances Luke does not play at least 500 games in the NHL absent injury? Edvinsson may well be better and play longer, but Luke to NJ and Vancouver was probably a slam dunk NHL player. When some scouting services were suggesting that Brandt Clarke may not be an NHL level skater (not saying I agree with that) grabbing an NHL lock, even if lacking some upside, is a good choice. The reality is that with the exception of Clarke, none of the top picks after Power had a unique skillset that NJ doesn't already have. Benier is going to be redundant of Hischier. Eklund is another small skilled winger or center. NJ has an abundance of those. These are all great players, but I can see why NJ liked Luke as a prospect.

 

[cjeagle]

It's certainly reasonable to choose Edvinsson over Hughes. That said, I think the nepotism thing is looked at incorrectly. I think in a covid impacted draft where you don't get to meet the prospects and have to rely way more on video and remote interviews, NJ had a unique insight into Luke shared only by Vancouver. They must have had significant family contact and had a much better sense of Luke's off ice habits, demeanor, and intangibles than any other prospect except perhaps for Brandt Clarke. Before the draft order was set, my thought was that Hughes would be seen as a "safe" pick by risk averse general managers. Any concerns about attitude, work ethic, drive, determination, etc. have largely been answered by his two smaller brothers. Quinn is already an impact if imperfect player and I think Jack is on his way there. What do you think are the chances Luke does not play at least 500 games in the NHL absent injury? Edvinsson may well be better and play longer, but Luke to NJ and Vancouver was probably a slam dunk NHL player. When some scouting services were suggesting that Brandt Clarke may not be an NHL level skater (not saying I agree with that) grabbing an NHL lock, even if lacking some upside, is a good choice. The reality is that with the exception of Clarke, none of the top picks after Power had a unique skillset that NJ doesn't already have. Benier is going to be redundant of Hischier. Eklund is another small skilled winger or center. NJ has an abundance of those. These are all great players, but I can see why NJ liked Luke as a prospect.

Actually I am a big fan of Luke Hughes. I think he will have a long successful NHL career and deserve his high draft pick ranking.

I just don't think he has the potential to be that rare franchise complete NHL defenceman that many in Sweden are saying Edvinsson can be.

The latter simply has all the tools in terms of size, skills, skating, physical style of play and hockey IQ at both ends of the ice and was even called a unicorn because of that during the draft.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Actually I am a big fan of Luke Hughes. I think he will have a long successful NHL career and deserve his high draft pick ranking.

I just don't think he has the potential to be that rare franchise complete NHL defenceman that many in Sweden are saying Edvinsson has.

If Hughes' offense continues to develop, I'd say that's exactly what his potential is. He has the skating, transition, and size package already, the question is how much he can affect the game at the other end of the ice.

 

[cjeagle]

If Hughes' offense continues to develop, I'd say that's exactly what his potential is. He has the skating, transition, and size package already, the question is how much he can affect the game at the other end of the ice.

Well at least with one aspect, I don't think Hughes has Edvinsson's reputation as a somewhat mean hitting physical 6'5" defenceman to round out his other skillsets. College hockey just doesn't allow you to showcase that part of your game that much.

 

[WetWholphin]

yup ive seen enough. hughes shouldve been a second round pick. he is trash at the game of hockey and also he is bad at hockey and he also has old man hair and also he isnt good at hockey. thank you

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Well at least with one aspect, I don't think Hughes has Edvinsson's reputation as a somewhat mean hitting physical 6'5" defenceman to round out his other skillsets. College hockey just doesn't allow you to showcase that part of your game that much.

I don't think "mean" is a requirement for a complete defenseman. In fact, I'd say it's as irrelevant a trait as it's ever been in the NHL.

 

[cjeagle]

I don't think "mean" is a requirement for a complete defenseman. In fact, I'd say it's as irrelevant a trait as it's ever been in the NHL.

You must be too young to have seen defenceman like Chris Pronger, Vlad Konstantinov or Scott Stevens play then. They were all great players on both ends of the ice but it was their physicality that defined them. I remember NJ Devils defenceman Scott Stevens knocking out unconscious Detroit forward Slava Kozlov with a hit in the Stanley Cup finals while at the same time outplaying Detroit's all star defenceman Paul Coffey.

Detroit led the NHL in the regular season by a huge margin and made it to the SC Finals in 1995 where they were the overwhelming favorite to win it all. They just didn't have an answer to the Devil's physical play in the SC Finals particularly Steven's disruptive hitting taking down many of Detroit's best players.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

You must be too young to have seen defenceman like Chris Pronger, Vlad Konstantinov or Scott Stevens play then. They were all great players on both end of the ice but it was their physicality that defined them. I remember NJ Devils defenceman Scott Stevens knocking out unconscious Detroit forward Slava Kozlov in the Stanley Cup finals while at the same time outplaying Detroit's all star defenceman Paul Coffey.

Detroit lead the NHL in the regular season by a huge margin and made it to the SC Finals in 1995 where they were the overwhelming favorite to win it all. They just didn't have an answer to the Devil's physical play in the SC Finals particularly Steven's disruptive hitting taking out many of Detroit's best players.

Yeah, I'm not that young. I just acknowledge the fact that the NHL in 2021 is not the same as the NHL in 1995. This is not controversial.

 

[cjeagle]

Yeah, I'm not that young. I just acknowledge the fact that the NHL in 2021 is not the same as the NHL in 1995. This is not controversial.

Well your team the New Jersey Devils certainly took advantage of the physical aspect of hockey through the years. They even won their first Stanley Cup in 1995 in large part due to that physicality.

Fighting is not as relevant anymore in today's NHL but the physical aspect provided by hitting is still a recognized important aspect of NHL play particularly in the playoffs.

 

[Crunchy]

DRW fans should probably calm down a bit and let this be a Luke Hughes thread, instead of a "help me deal with my 2021 draft insecurities" thread. Understandably the crossover between DRW/UM fans is there, but lets make it a positive.

Mckenzie's final 2021 draft list had Hughes at 8, but also stated its a massive mixed bag when it came to different scouts. Hughes certainly shows the talent to be a top 5 pick and given his size may end up the best Hughes brother. Haven't watched, but word is that he walked right into a stacked UM team and become an impact and go-to player (mgoblog has game summaries/analysis). He's a year younger than the rest of his class. I would understandably be stoked to have this guy as a prospect.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Physical players don't win playoff games, physical teams do. I don't really care if Luke Hughes hits people or not because there are 17 other skaters on the roster who can be physical. You don't need every player on your team to wear 100 hats. Let Luke be Luke and play his own game.

 

[ThankGord]

DRW fans should probably calm down a bit and let this be a Luke Hughes thread, instead of a "help me deal with my 2021 draft insecurities" thread. Understandably the crossover between DRW/UM fans is there, but lets make it a positive.

Mckenzie's final 2021 draft list had Hughes at 8, but also stated its a massive mixed bag when it came to different scouts. Hughes certainly shows the talent to be a top 5 pick and given his size may end up the best Hughes brother. Haven't watched, but word is that he walked right into a stacked UM team and become an impact and go-to player (mgoblog has game summaries/analysis). He's a year younger than the rest of his class. I would understandably be stoked to have this guy as a prospect.

I agree that we should focus on the Luke Hughes discussion but just want to point out that there aren't any "insecurities" among Wings fans about our 18-year-old defenseman playing 25 minutes a game as the top defensemen on the best team in a men's league.

I'm sure Luke Hughes will be great as welll.

 

[Crunchy]

I agree that we should focus on the Luke Hughes discussion but just want to point out that there aren't any "insecurities" among Wings fans about our 18-year-old defenseman playing 25 minutes a game as the top defensemen on the best team in a men's league.

I'm sure Luke Hughes will be great as welll.

I'm a Wings fan and am similarly happy (as I would also be with L. Hughes). However, many DRW fans did not like the pick on draft day and really wanted Hughes. Its not crazy to suggest that some are still harboring insecurities. Overall as a fanbase, I agree, but a fanbase is made of individuals.

On another note, I'd be curious to hear from any UM college hockey fans who have watched Hughes recently?

 

[WetWholphin]

bruh who cares. devils have sucked for a long time and so has detroit. i hope edwardson becomes a #1 and hughes becomes a #1

 

[cjeagle]

DRW fans should probably calm down a bit and let this be a Luke Hughes thread, instead of a "help me deal with my 2021 draft insecurities" thread. Understandably the crossover between DRW/UM fans is there, but lets make it a positive.

Mckenzie's final 2021 draft list had Hughes at 8, but also stated its a massive mixed bag when it came to different scouts. Hughes certainly shows the talent to be a top 5 pick and given his size may end up the best Hughes brother. Haven't watched, but word is that he walked right into a stacked UM team and become an impact and go-to player (mgoblog has game summaries/analysis). He's a year younger than the rest of his class. I would understandably be stoked to have this guy as a prospect.

I like Luke. If Edvinsson would have been gone by the time the Redwings drafted at #6 which was a real possibility, I would be perfectly happy to take Hughes instead. My comments on Edvinsson does in no way reflect on my regards to Hughes chances to be an impact player in the NHL.

 

[cjeagle]

Physical players don't win playoff games, physical teams do. I don't really care if Luke Hughes hits people or not because there are 17 other skaters on the roster who can be physical. You don't need every player on your team to wear 100 hats. Let Luke be Luke and play his own game.

Indeed. That is why I emphasized that it was the New Jersey Devil's physical play that Detroit had no answer to that resulted in the Redwings downfall in the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals. It was a team effort led by their captain, defenceman Scott Stevens.

Detroit addressed that issue(toughness and physical play) by acquiring tough physical edgy but also talented players like Brendan Shanahan and Chris Chelios in the ensuing years while adapting the same attitude as a team as well, which helped them win 4 Stanley Cups during that time frame.

Those kind of players tend to tilt the ice in their team's favor particularly in the playoffs.

 

[dtown77]

DRW fans should probably calm down a bit and let this be a Luke Hughes thread, instead of a "help me deal with my 2021 draft insecurities" thread. Understandably the crossover between DRW/UM fans is there, but lets make it a positive.

Mckenzie's final 2021 draft list had Hughes at 8, but also stated its a massive mixed bag when it came to different scouts. Hughes certainly shows the talent to be a top 5 pick and given his size may end up the best Hughes brother. Haven't watched, but word is that he walked right into a stacked UM team and become an impact and go-to player (mgoblog has game summaries/analysis). He's a year younger than the rest of his class. I would understandably be stoked to have this guy as a prospect.

A lot of Red Wings fans wanted Hughes, including me.. More so then Edvinsson if I remember correctly. I'm excited to follow his progress at Michigan and New Jersey.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

You must be too young to have seen defenceman like Chris Pronger, Vlad Konstantinov or Scott Stevens play then. They were all great players on both ends of the ice but it was their physicality that defined them. I remember NJ Devils defenceman Scott Stevens knocking out unconscious Detroit forward Slava Kozlov with a hit in the Stanley Cup finals while at the same time outplaying Detroit's all star defenceman Paul Coffey.

Detroit led the NHL in the regular season by a huge margin and made it to the SC Finals in 1995 where they were the overwhelming favorite to win it all. They just didn't have an answer to the Devil's physical play in the SC Finals particularly Steven's disruptive hitting taking down many of Detroit's best players.

The 1995 Devils team had two first ballot Hall of Famers on its blueline, Scott Stevens who was in his prime and Scott Niedermayer who was just entering it. Niedermayer, who could skate like the wind, was amazing defensively, perhaps ultimately becoming better defensively than Stevens ever was even though he could not lay out big hits. (There's an argument to be made that Niedermayer was the best player in hockey for a year or two before Crosby came into his prime).

I'm not making any comparisons between Hughes and anyone else. The point is that even when the league was much more physical, you did not need to physically intimidating like Stevens to be more than an "offensive defenseman".

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

I'm a Wings fan and am similarly happy (as I would also be with L. Hughes). However, many DRW fans did not like the pick on draft day and really wanted Hughes. Its not crazy to suggest that some are still harboring insecurities. Overall as a fanbase, I agree, but a fanbase is made of individuals.

On another note, I'd be curious to hear from any UM college hockey fans who have watched Hughes recently?

He's looked pretty good. True Freshman, so some growing pains, but overall, as advertised.

 

[cjeagle]

The 1995 Devils team had two first ballot Hall of Famers on its blueline, Scott Stevens who was in his prime and Scott Niedermayer who was just entering it. Niedermayer, who could skate like the wind, was amazing defensively, perhaps ultimately becoming better defensively than Stevens ever was even though he could not lay out big hits. (There's an argument to be made that Niedermayer was the best player in hockey for a year or two before Crosby came into his prime).

I'm not making any comparisons between Hughes and anyone else. The point is that even when the league was much more physical, you did not need to physically intimidating like Stevens to be more than an "offensive defenseman".

There is nothing wrong with being an offensive defenceman that were also solid defenders(Niklas Lidstrom and Larry Robinson after all are listed among the best defenceman of all time precisely for being great at both ends of the ice) but it is very rare to find one that can do all those things and be a physically dominant defenceman as well. The latter type of players kind of tilt the ice in their team's favor by imposing their will and getting into the heads of their opponents.

7 times Norris trophy winner Lidstrom(who is consider by most observers better than Niedermayer and is rated by many among the best defenceman of all time) was part of that 1995 Detroit Redwings team along with all star defenceman Paul Coffey who despite being among the best offensive defenceman of his generation was considered a liability on defence. That didn't stop them from being physically and mentally dominated by the 1995 New Jersey Devils during the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Detroit Redwings potentially have 2 young defenceman prospects that might to a certain extent embody all those qualities in 6'4" Moritz Seider and 6'6" Simon Edvinsson. Both are big physically imposing players that play with an edge but are also productive on offense and solid on defence and are being used in all kinds of situations(including both special teams) for their teams right now in the NHL and SHL respectively.

I would be happy to see Luke Hughes develop to be a complete player in the Lidstrom, Niedermayer mode but I just don't see him being as multi faceted or versatile a defenceman as Seider or Edvinsson although his ceiling on offence might be potentially higher than those 2 if he lives up to the standards his brothers have set.

 

[Auto Pilot]

 

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

Michigan has played like garbage tonight, but Hughes has been the bright spot in my opinion. Adds another nice goal to his season, and his speed potentially saved us another goal as he broke up a breakaway in the first.

I'm trying to figure out how to to do screen-capture gif work so I can post more highlights beyond what the official twitter posts, which are just the goals. Since I catch most of these games anyways I figured I might as well share some of the details.

Edit: goal posted already

 

[Figgie]

I agree that we should focus on the Luke Hughes discussion but just want to point out that there aren't any "insecurities" among Wings fans about our 18-year-old defenseman playing 25 minutes a game as the top defensemen on the best team in a men's league.

Nice to hear that Edvinsson is playing well in SHL but actually he is not playing 25minutes per game. He have played 13 games this season and in 5 of those he have played over 20 minutes and in one game he played 25.18min. His TOI/GP is 20.09min and he have 7 points in 13 games and that is very good.

I can really understand that why Detroit fans are very happy with Edvinsson. Devils fans are also very happy with Luke who have started his NCAA career very well.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

6 points in 5 games (same as Power) and all primary. Plus he’s not getting PP1 time. Kid looks great