LD Luke Hughes (2021, 4th, NJD)
- Thread starter Tryamkin
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All of his comps stepped in as impact NHLers. I don’t see why he’d be any different and especially playing in a 3rd pair role with Severson.
Jerzey Devil
Jerzey-Duz-It
I’d love it if Luke were able to push Smith to the press box. Being playoff time I’d probably keep Smith around just in case.
scoopscj
Registered User
I’ve been watching hockey for nearly 30 years and there are very few young defenseman that can step in to the playoffs and not be a liability. I know this kid is good, but I don’t see it happening this year. Provided the Devils make the playoffs, which I think they should given the position they are in at the end of January. I just don’t think this kid is going to get into the game and be able to perform at a playoff level at this young age.
The Crypto Guy
Registered User
- Jun 26, 2017
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There is literally zero chance he steps into the Devils roster in the playoffs. And that goes for any 20 year old defenseman on any team at this moment. Playoffs are a different beast. You don't give a defenseman his first taste of the NHL in the playoffs.
He'll get big minutes in the AHL after his college season is done and he signs.
ZachaFlockaFlame
Registered User
- Aug 24, 2020
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Sounds like someone's scared of him possibly playing NYR round 1. He should 100% get minutes on LD3 with Marino round 1.
You can shelter him easily, let him play game 1 and see from there. Brendan Smith is great for his role but they should roll into the playoffs with:
Siegs-Hamliton
Graves-Severson
Hughes-Marino
PizzaAndPucks
New Jersey Angels diehard
- Nov 29, 2018
- 3,114
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To be honest I don't really care too much of he gets playoff minutes for us or not this year. There is a good chance Utica can make the AHL playoffs and if he can get in games and make an impact there than that would be awesome for a 19 year old. We know he will be in NJ sooner than later. I really don't want him to step into the lineup if we make the playoffs just for the sake of playing him. If we were bad this year than he 100% plays every game after his college season is over. Would rather go with a veteran lineup for a potential playoff birth. Luke is going to be big for our 2nd PP unit until he hopefully forces his way to the top unit in the future. We need to develop him properly but his skating ability his offensive skills are top notch. This kids shot impressed me alot this current season , he has decent size but that shot from down the range is deadly.
Breakers
Make Mirrored Visors Legal Again
Why is it so shocking for him to play in the playoffs
McAvoy did after a little stint in the AHL for like 3 games between his season ending.
Makar did as his debut
He could play 2 regular season games even if he wins the chip
McAvoy did after a little stint in the AHL for like 3 games between his season ending.
Makar did as his debut
He could play 2 regular season games even if he wins the chip
The Crypto Guy
Registered User
- Jun 26, 2017
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You don't go into the playoffs sheltering players lmao. You go in with the best lineup you can. Which means you play a veteran Brandon Smith over him.
But oh yes, im shaking in my boots, Hughes looked sooo dominant defensively in those big games at the WJCs..
ZachaFlockaFlame
Registered User
- Aug 24, 2020
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Thanks for telling me you didn't watch a single Devils game this year other than when they played the Rangers because Smith has been the worst defenseman by a mile for them this year. And if NJ has home ice, they can easily shelter him with home ice + good defensive partner in Marino. And who said he had to be defensively dominant? He just has to be better than Brendan Smith according to your logic which he easily can be.
He's going to have to be a regular next year anyway with Graves leaving a wide open spot on the left side. If he sucks in the playoffs, oh well. He'll have that experience to bring into camp + the following regular season. This year is still completely gravy for them with what happens in regards to the playoffs.
Literally all of the recent top Dmen who spent 2 years in college have stepped right into the NHL and been impact players.
SteveCangialosi123
Registered User
There are things Brendan Smtih can do that Luke can’t. There are things Luke can do that most of the NHL can’t. He’ll get a few regular season games to see how the defense holds up, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he grabs the spot and runs with it.
There will likely be injuries by that point anyway, I don’t think an AHLer will play over him.
Herby
How could Blake have known?
Are you new to the sport?
Within the last 6 years both McAvoy and Makar did exactly what you claimed has "literally zero chance" of happening.
And Luke has the benefit of 5 good Dmen ahead of him so it's not like he'll have to carry much of a load
bert
Registered User
- Nov 11, 2002
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Id bet he will be. Was quite easily the 2nd best player at the WJC in my opinion. What a talent. Expecting a Sanderson like impact.
MasterofGrond
No, I'm not serious.
I think Jiricek had a better performance. Jiricek was a beast from start to finish (god I wanted him so bad). I thought Luke was good but it wasn't his best performance and he had some down moments. I thought he had a better showing in the summer. Either way he should be good enough to step in and be an impactful guy and especially on a 3rd pair
Lavar Ball
Neva Lost
Yea I thought Hughes WJC was not his best performance TBH. Had some great moments of course but inconsistent
TonySoprano
Registered User
I'd wait to see what he looks like in regular season games before we make this kid a made guy in the playoffs. Capos aren't given they're earned
Michigan is too inconsistent and young to make the Frozen Four this year from the outside looking in, so I think he will have time to play in a couple regular season games
Michigan is too inconsistent and young to make the Frozen Four this year from the outside looking in, so I think he will have time to play in a couple regular season games
OKR
Registered User
- Nov 18, 2015
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I don’t know how you were wathing the WJC if you somehow came to the conclusion that Hughes was easily the 2nd best player of the tournament. He wasn’t even in the top 2 for Team USA.
Not trying to downplay him at all btw, he just wasn’t at his best.
Not trying to downplay him at all btw, he just wasn’t at his best.
FLYguy3911
Sanheim Lover
- Oct 19, 2006
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He was sloppy, but he still created a ton. He walks every single defender that tries to close out on him at the point.
I wonder if he plays the right or left side at the NHL level. The way he shakes defenders at the blue line and gets to the center of the ice for his left-handed shot is wild. That gets neutered a bit if he plays LD.
bert
Registered User
- Nov 11, 2002
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He was dangerous every time he had the puck. Which was alot. Agreed that Jiricek was also really good. Hughes stood out so much in my viewings.
Were all entitled to our own opinions. I thought he showed off his raw tools incredibly well.
FLYguy3911
Sanheim Lover
- Oct 19, 2006
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Maybe. He’s skilled enough to play his off side effectively but I wonder if some of the needless giveaways will be reduced playing his strong side - less compromising positions. It’s not like he wouldn’t or couldn’t freelance to the right over the course of his shifts. Pretty much every top defender plays their strong side in the NHL though and the Devils have 3 regular RHDs when healthy + Nemec eventually.
