LD Luke Hughes (2021, 4th, NJD)

[MNRube]

Hughes is going to be one of those guys who is a late bloomer in NHL. I think he struggles the first couple seasons, especially in the playoffs. Not as quick of a processor as Quinn. But the skating and pedigree will come together and he will be a monster in his mid 20s

 

[Edmonton East]

You can criticize Hughes and still think he will be a great player....

For example: His defense has been horrid for a player of his pedigree/expectations. Would be fine if he was just taking random games off here and there (it happens). Instead, he's looked routinely terrible defensively in big games. And it isn't just a lack of awareness. He has looked straight up lazy/lethargic at times.

Looking forward to his debut though. Still needs time to develop, just like when Jack entered the league.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

You can criticize Hughes and still think he will be a great player....

For example: His defense has been horrid for a player of his pedigree/expectations. Would be fine if he was just taking random games off here and there (it happens). Instead, he's looked routinely terrible defensively in big games. And it isn't just a lack of awareness. He has looked straight up lazy/lethargic at times.

Looking forward to his debut though. Still needs time to develop, just like when Jack entered the league.

If he was already good defensively, he would be by far the best D prospect in the history of the franchise. By a lot. As it stands, he’s merely one of the best in the history of the franchise.

 

[Herby]

People need to get there last dunk on Hughes before he leaves the draft board.

Jealousy is a terrible thing.

What an absolutely ridiculous post. People who have seen him play dozens of times the last two seasons and give honest opinions are jealous and haters?

Get real, it's stupid posts like this that make me not even want to give my thoughts on UM players on this forum. If you say anything good you are labeled a homer, if you say anything bad you are a hater and jealous.

The most pathetic thing is it gets likes.

 

[MasterofGrond]

You can criticize Hughes and still think he will be a great player....

For example: His defense has been horrid for a player of his pedigree/expectations. Would be fine if he was just taking random games off here and there (it happens). Instead, he's looked routinely terrible defensively in big games. And it isn't just a lack of awareness. He has looked straight up lazy/lethargic at times.

Looking forward to his debut though. Still needs time to develop, just like when Jack entered the league.

Horrid lol

Inconsistent is probably a better description. He’s been solid for stretches and shown flashes of making plays not a ton of other defenseman can. There’s been some very rough moments in his most high profile games, but they’re far less representative than his detractors would say and have more to do with overplaying and forcing it than lethargy.

And defense in the NHL these days isn’t about being error free. It’s about being mobile, being strong in transition, and driving the puck forward, all things he is built for. I’m not going to say it’s smooth sailing, there’s always an adjustment period, but he’ll get there and I don’t think it’s going to be that far down the road.

 

[Breakers]

Pehrson - Hughes just didnt have the same impact as Hughes-Truscott
you can just watch


and it showed
they missed Truscott

 

[Goon42]

What an absolutely ridiculous post. People who have seen him play dozens of times the last two seasons and give honest opinions are jealous and haters?

Get real, it's stupid posts like this that make me not even want to give my thoughts on UM players on this forum. If you say anything good you are labeled a homer, if you say anything bad you are a hater and jealous.

The most pathetic thing is it gets likes.

Relax

 

[Herby]

Relax

Why?

People try and have an intelligent discussion on players strengths and weaknesses and you are just labeled a jealous hater or a homer.

 

[TheNeutralZone]

Luke Hughes would be a much better player today and have a bunch of zeroes in his bank account if he skipped college completely.

And that's all I have to say about that.

 

[Xirik]

What an absolutely ridiculous post. People who have seen him play dozens of times the last two seasons and give honest opinions are jealous and haters?

Get real, it's stupid posts like this that make me not even want to give my thoughts on UM players on this forum. If you say anything good you are labeled a homer, if you say anything bad you are a hater and jealous.

The most pathetic thing is it gets likes.

yeah a game where he is puking his guts out while still trying to play as their season is on the line is a great time to form an opinion on his development.

Also.....

Relax

 

[WarriorofTime]

Luke Hughes would be a much better player today and have a bunch of zeroes in his bank account if he skipped college completely.

And that's all I have to say about that.

lol, so drop a #HotTake with no evidence or support and then say "that's all I have to say", ok then

 

[Herby]

yeah a game where he is puking his guts out while still trying to play as their season is on the line is a great time to form an opinion on his development.

Also.....

Relax

I am a UM season ticket holder. I am not forming my opinion (which is very high of him btw) based off of 1 game. He was not as good this season as he was last, pointing that out does not make someone a hater or jealous, that’s a ridiculous take to have. It also doesn’t mean we don’t think he will be a good NHL player as soon as tomorrow.

Luke Hughes would be a much better player today and have a bunch of zeroes in his bank account if he skipped college completely.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Ya, playing in the AHL as a teenager has been such a wonderful path for players, as opposed to playing 2 years in college. He clearly made the wrong decision.

It worked out terribly for Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, Zach Werenski, Matty Beniers, Cole Caufield, Owen Power, Matt Boldy, Jonathan Toews and on and on.

Two years in the NCAA and right into the NHL has been the most successful development path for 1st round picks. The evidence is overwhelming.

 

[Devs3cups]

Luke’s offensive game and skating are already elite and NHL ready. His NCAA offensive pedigree speaks for itself, kid is an insane offensive talent. Top 3 D prospect, and that’s super exciting for us Devils fans. 2 Top 5 D prospects coming soon in him and Nemec.

In a more structured league with professional coaches, I’m sure he’ll become fine defensively. Will it ever be a strong suit, I highly doubt it. But his transition game is so solid that it’ll help him defensively. Besides the Hughes’ are intelligent and motivated players. They want to be better. I’m sure Luke will do what it takes to improve his defensive game without hurting his offensive input.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Get real, it's stupid posts like this that make me not even want to give my thoughts on UM players on this forum. If you say anything good you are labeled a homer, if you say anything bad you are a hater and jealous.

The most pathetic thing is it gets likes.

To what extent do you place blame on Naurauto/the Michigan staff for the defensive lapses? My sense watching Michigan was that Luke was their most talented player with the most expectations and the knew it. Meaning, there was no leash and his directive was to effect the game in his way, his offense. Just never got the sense there was enough structure for Hughes to develop in that end. He’ll get that in New Jersey.

 

[Herby]

To what extent do you place blame on Naurauto/the Michigan staff for the defensive lapses? My sense watching Michigan was that Luke was their most talented player with the most expectations and the knew it. Meaning, there was no leash and his directive was to effect the game in his way, his offense. Just never got the sense there was enough structure for Hughes to develop in that end. He’ll get that in New Jersey.

There wasn't much of a leash, UM played a pretty wide open style, but coaches at lower levels are going to maximize their best players, especially ones who are NHL caliber players, the same thing is happening with Brandt Clarke in the OHL, he isn't playing with any structure either. Michigan was pretty wide open under Mel as well and Hughes didn't have nearly as many glaring mistakes as he had this season. Some of the breakdowns were from him taking valid risks, but many others were just poor decisions, plays that had no chance to work and were going to end up with odd man rushes the other way with little or no chance for a positive result for UM. He is going to be presented with those types of decisions at the NHL level, no matter how structured a system is, he is going to have to clean that up, and clean it up quickly because he will get eaten alive in the NHL if he makes some of the decisions he made this year.

As I've said in this thread numerous times, Luke is a massive talent, I think he is even more talented than Quinn, and anyone who has read my posts here for years knows how highly I think of Quinn. But his game sense/hockey IQ is just really below Quinn's, and that is why I think he will be a very good defenseman, an all-star caliber one, but I don't know if he has Norris potential like Quinn does, Quinn just has the game sense that only a couple of other players in the league have.

 

[NHL Fanatik]

If he was already good defensively, he would be by far the best D prospect in the history of the franchise. By a lot. As it stands, he’s merely one of the best in the history of the franchise.

Shit a defensively strong Luke Hughes would be maybe the greatest d prospect since Potvin?

What an absolutely ridiculous post. People who have seen him play dozens of times the last two seasons and give honest opinions are jealous and haters?

Get real, it's stupid posts like this that make me not even want to give my thoughts on UM players on this forum. If you say anything good you are labeled a homer, if you say anything bad you are a hater and jealous.

The most pathetic thing is it gets likes.

Im sure Devils fans and other teams fans with prospects at Michigan appreciate your analysis, even if the most vocal dont

I do at least!

 

[Xirik]

I am a UM season ticket holder. I am not forming my opinion (which is very high of him btw) based off of 1 game. He was not as good this season as he was last, pointing that out does not make someone a hater or jealous, that’s a ridiculous take to have. It also doesn’t mean we don’t think he will be a good NHL player as soon as tomorrow.

So you just assumed my post was about you and got offended. Good Job!

 

[PAZ]

People were saying the same thing about Jack his first two years. He's trying todo do too much, he should slow his game down and rely on his team mates, he should be patient and allow the play to him.

Now he's a +40 goal, 95 point guy who is about to break the Devils single season scoring record, and he's doing it in hero mode on every shift. They only difference is he needed a 15 pounds of muscle and a little humility.

The whole family is super competitive and willing to do whatever to improve. He will polish off the weaknesses in his game just like Quinn and Jack did.

The difference is that L. Hughes is coming onto a up and coming playoff team, whereas Jack joined a dumpster fire.

Luke is going to have to adapt and play a simpler game at the start if he wants to play more than 10 minutes a night in any meaningful game. I have no doubt Luke will figure things out, but a defenseman's mistake has a bigger impact than a forward's mistake.

 

[Herby]

So you just assumed my post was about you and got offended. Good Job!

Well considering you didn't quote any particular post, and used the broad term "people". Sure why not?

What posts fit your description of un fairly dunking on Hughes and being jealous or the Devils for having him?

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I enjoy reading content from members of this forum who see players that I don't regularly get to see. I learn a lot about prospects from people I know are watching them regularly. But often times people just giving opinions is met with the same lame "haters" or "homers" comments based on what NHL team owns the players rights. Sad.

 

[NHL Fanatik]

So you just assumed my post was about you and got offended. Good Job!

Damn chill out Xirik - hes not even a Rangers fan

 

[Xirik]

Well considering you didn't quote any particular post, and used the broad term "people". Sure why not?

What posts fit your description of un fairly dunking on Hughes and being jealous or the Devils for having him?

Obviously yours apparently. (that's sarcasm btw)

Critical thinking is a very helpful tool. It can help you in ways such as "Huh this guy is saying people are jealous about a player and talking about specifically one game. I wonder if he's talking about me a season ticket holder."

Or you can just cal them pathetic and be offended.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

There wasn't much of a leash, UM played a pretty wide open style, but coaches at lower levels are going to maximize their best players, especially ones who are NHL caliber players, the same thing is happening with Brandt Clarke in the OHL, he isn't playing with any structure either. Michigan was pretty wide open under Mel as well and Hughes didn't have nearly as many glaring mistakes as he had this season. Some of the breakdowns were from him taking valid risks, but many others were just poor decisions, plays that had no chance to work and were going to end up with odd man rushes the other way with little or no chance for a positive result for UM. He is going to be presented with those types of decisions at the NHL level, no matter how structured a system is, he is going to have to clean that up, and clean it up quickly because he will get eaten alive in the NHL if he makes some of the decisions he made this year.

As I've said in this thread numerous times, Luke is a massive talent, I think he is even more talented than Quinn, and anyone who has read my posts here for years knows how highly I think of Quinn. But his game sense/hockey IQ is just really below Quinn's, and that is why I think he will be a very good defenseman, an all-star caliber one, but I don't know if he has Norris potential like Quinn does, Quinn just has the game sense that only a couple of other players in the league have.

They’ll need to insulate him for sure. A guy like Marino I think would be a good partner for him. Ultimately, every player needs to learn what they can and can’t get away with at every level and I for sure recognize the deficiencies in his defensive game. I just always got the sense that wasn’t really a priority at Michigan. The mentality was just go make a play and if it doesn’t work do it again until it does. Won’t be like that in Jersey.

 

[Herby]

Obviously yours apparently. (that's sarcasm btw)

Critical thinking is a very helpful tool. It can help you in ways such as "Huh this guy is saying people are jealous about a player and talking about specifically one game. I wonder if he's talking about me a season ticket holder."

My season ticket reply was about you saying that people were forming an opinion on Hughes based on one game, was just pointing out that I have seen Luke Hughes play dozens of times over the last two seasons and have made countless posts in this very thread over the past two seasons.

 

[nucksflailtogether]

I remember Quinn was the same thing in his last year of college. Then he stepped into the nhl and immediately destroyed it. could be different but I doubt it, the Hughes’ are just too intelligent not to succeed.

 

[Eggtimer]

Im sure the Devils will put him in a position to succeed . Give him easy zone starts and limited minutes against lesser opposition . Let him find his game first. Ask him to keep it simple then lengthen the leash as he gains confidence and sees first hand what he can and can’t do.
He will be more than fine. Its not like they will feed him to the wolves off the start amd expect him to produce on PP1….
People are acting like the kid is some rando 6th round pick beig asked to save the team .