LD Luke Hughes (2021, 4th, NJD)

[Nocashstyle]

Don’t be so sure. Jack and his father seem to have a big say in things for this organization. No one knows what is said behind closed doors but I can absolutely see Jack asking to play on the powerplay with his brother and for the coaches to try it out to accommodate Jack and it has been working.

As a frustrated Hamilton owner in fantasy, it’s an absolute waste of your 78 point elite offensive dman in his prime with a 9.5 million cap hit to receive such little pp time and no pk time. Lost his spot to a rookie and it has nothing to do with poor play.

I get laughed at on the devils board but it’s blatant nepotism.

Nepotism- the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.

As well you should. The Devils have the #1 PP in the league and are converting at 42.4%. You think Hamilton is making that rate jump even more?

What an insane take.

 

[Hisch13r]

Always dreamed of the Hughes brothers reuniting. I would like a Quinn Hughes to Simon Nemec trade in 2026 (more realistic). Quinn Hughes is a UFA in 2027 and I have a hard time imagining he wouldn't want to join New Jersey.

We’re never making the trade. It just makes no sense for us. The price would be astronomical and if he wants to come here then we sign him

 

[Nico Hischier]

Conspirary Theory -

1. a belief that some secret but influential organization/individual is responsible for an event or phenomenon.
   "they sought to account for the lack of PP time for Dougie Hamilton in terms of a conspiracy theory"

It’s not a conspiracy theory. It’s pretty obvious Jack wants to play with his brother. he was so excited when they drafted Luke. Fitz and jacks dad are very close.

The powerplay is working and that’s great. It also worked great last year as well with Hamilton. It would probably still work if they put freaking Brendan smith on pp1 because Jack and Bratt are that good.

 

[Hisch13r]

It’s not a conspiracy theory. It’s pretty obvious Jack wants to play with his brother. he was so excited when they drafted Luke. Fitz and jacks dad are very close.

The powerplay is working and that’s great. It also worked great last year as well with Hamilton. It would probably still work if they put freaking Brendan smith on pp1 because Jack and Bratt are that good.

It did not work great with Dougie last year.

 

[Nico Hischier]

It did not work great with Dougie last year.

Dougie had almost 80 points and almost 30 ppp last season. That’s elite production right up there with fox and heiskanen

 

[MakoSlade]

6 points in 8 games.

Sheltered minutes! Spoon-fed power play time! Wide turns!

 

[mphmiles]

The powerplay is working and that’s great. It also worked great last year as well with Hamilton.

The devils power play this season is scoring at double the clip of last season.

 

[Zubrus Coffee Maker]

It’s not a conspiracy theory. It’s pretty obvious Jack wants to play with his brother. he was so excited when they drafted Luke. Fitz and jacks dad are very close.

The powerplay is working and that’s great. It also worked great last year as well with Hamilton. It would probably still work if they put freaking Brendan smith on pp1 because Jack and Bratt are that good.

I think you’re confusing nepotism with competency, the Devils had the 13th ranked power play last year and they’re #1 this year. Just because Luke has the same last name as Jack doesn’t mean he’s getting opportunities strictly because of it.

Luke has been fantastic at holding the zone this year on the powerplay, his skating and creativity have been massive in getting more opportunities for others. Dougie is a big threat to score on the powerplay but he was not good at maintaining possession and that lead to a lot of short handed chances against.

9 million dollar contract or not, you’ve gotta play the guy that’s playing the best, and so far Luke has been straight up outplaying Dougie

 

[Nico Hischier]

As well you should. The Devils have the #1 PP in the league and are converting at 42.4%. You think Hamilton is making that rate jump even more?

What an insane take.

Cmon the Devils converting at 42% is because of Jack and bratt. I have never said Hamilton would make it go up even more and if I did please quote me.

 

[Guttersniped]

Don’t be so sure. Jack and his father seem to have a big say in things for this organization. No one knows what is said behind closed doors but I can absolutely see Jack asking to play on the powerplay with his brother and for the coaches to try it out to accommodate Jack and it has been working.

As a frustrated Hamilton owner in fantasy, it’s an absolute waste of your 78 point elite offensive dman in his prime with a 9.5 million cap hit to receive such little pp time and no pk time. Lost his spot to a rookie and it has nothing to do with poor play.

I get laughed at on the devils board but it’s blatant nepotism.

Nepotism- the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.

I guess you missed the part about the Devils having the best PP in the NHL with 14 PPG and a 42.42% efficiency.

You would get laughed at on the Devils board because fans like me, who actually attend their games, will tell you that Luke is significantly better on the PP1 than Hamilton.

And I like Hamilton, but his super power is shot creation and that’s it, he’s not a dynamic power play QB.

Luke is much more mobile and a much better passer. He makes the whole unit better.

The power play is on fire and it’s not like Hamilton doesn’t get any power play time.

But sorry, you don’t know what’s best for the NJ Devils’ PP, despite having Hamilton on your fantasy team.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Cmon the Devils converting at 42% is because of Jack and bratt. I have never said Hamilton would make it go up even more and if I did please quote me.

It’s solely because of Jack and Bratt, two players that were were also on a (league-wide middle of the pack) PP unit with Hamilton last year? Not saying that Luke is the sole reason, but it’s a head scratching take to think that he has had no affect. Unless you’re just not watching the games. Luke QBs the PP in a much different and more dynamic way than Hamilton does. Luke’s style is a better complement to Bratt and Jack.

 

[Guttersniped]

Cmon the Devils converting at 42% is because of Jack and bratt. I have never said Hamilton would make it go up even more and if I did please quote me.

Jack and Bratt and Luke (and Toffoli) are all making this happen.

I’m genuinely befuddled how anyone can watch this power play and not see how good Luke is on it.

You don’t remember the difficulties we had getting into the offensive zone and keeping it there? Hamilton isn’t mobile enough to keep up with Jack and Bratt.

 

[Nico Hischier]

It’s solely because of Jack and Bratt, two players that were were also on a (league-wide middle of the pack) PP unit with Hamilton last year? Not saying that Luke is the sole reason, but it’s a head scratching take to think that he has had no affect. Unless you’re just not watching the games. Luke QBs the PP in a much different and more dynamic way than Hamilton does. Luke’s style is a better complement to Bratt and Jack.

I think both Jack and Bratt have improved a lot even from last season. I think Bratt already has more hits than he did all of last year.

Jack and Bratt and Luke (and Toffoli) are all making this happen.

I’m genuinely befuddled how anyone can watch this power play and not see how good Luke is on it.

You don’t remember the difficulties we had getting into the offensive zone and keeping it there? Hamilton isn’t mobile enough to keep up with Jack and Bratt.

For the zone entries I’m not seeing any difference between Hamilton and Luke right now. Luke HAS the ability to easily gain the zone on the powerplay but haven’t actually seen him do it yet. They both skate the puck to the opposing blue line, stop, and drop it back just like what most teams in the league do on the powerplay. Luke definitely has the talent to do what Mike matheson (the fake drop pass) did to the devils last week on the powerplay. Can’t say the same for Dougie.



I will say this…. The only time this season the devils put hamilton out on pp1 immediately resulted in a Dougie hamilton goal. So when hamilton is on the top pp the conversion rate is 100% lol

 

[AfroThunder396]

The biggest problem with Hamilton on the PP is his lack of foot speed. He is useless when trying to make the zone, and if he makes a bad pinch there’s no way in hell he can recover. It’s always a breakaway in the other direction. The Devils have had issues with SHG in the past and it’s largely because Hamilton is slow as hell, even if he makes up for it in other areas.

But with Luke, it doesn’t even look like his skates are touching the ice, he can just glide straight through multiple defenders and easily establish zone possession.

Dougies shot is fantastic, but it’s more of a hammer that beats the goalie clean. It’s not very tippable and it’s not good for generate rebounds - a Hamilton results in a goal, a save, or going wide. Luke’s shot is more deflectable and better for generating follow up chances.

 

[TLEH]

It’s not a conspiracy theory. It’s pretty obvious Jack wants to play with his brother. he was so excited when they drafted Luke. Fitz and jacks dad are very close.

The powerplay is working and that’s great. It also worked great last year as well with Hamilton. It would probably still work if they put freaking Brendan smith on pp1 because Jack and Bratt are that good.

I drafted Tkachuk 5th OA over J Hughes in my league. I'm not blaming Keith for his son not putting the puck in the net.

Hughes took his spot. The PP is clicking. Hughes stays. Hamilton goes. Not everything has to be explained. You thought Hamilton would run PP1, he didn't. Oh well.

 

[Wayward Son]

Very composed dman for his age. He looks like the real deal.

 

[Tkachuk4MVP]

Don’t be so sure. Jack and his father seem to have a big say in things for this organization. No one knows what is said behind closed doors but I can absolutely see Jack asking to play on the powerplay with his brother and for the coaches to try it out to accommodate Jack and it has been working.

As a frustrated Hamilton owner in fantasy, it’s an absolute waste of your 78 point elite offensive dman in his prime with a 9.5 million cap hit to receive such little pp time and no pk time. Lost his spot to a rookie and it has nothing to do with poor play.

I get laughed at on the devils board but it’s blatant nepotism.

Nepotism- the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.

 

[Guttersniped]

I think both Jack and Bratt have improved a lot even from last season. I think Bratt already has more hits than he did all of last year.



For the zone entries I’m not seeing any difference between Hamilton and Luke right now. Luke HAS the ability to easily gain the zone on the powerplay but haven’t actually seen him do it yet. They both skate the puck to the opposing blue line, stop, and drop it back just like what most teams in the league do on the powerplay. Luke definitely has the talent to do what Mike matheson (the fake drop pass) did to the devils last week on the powerplay. Can’t say the same for Dougie.



I will say this…. The only time this season the devils put hamilton out on pp1 immediately resulted in a Dougie hamilton goal. So when hamilton is on the top pp the conversion rate is 100% lol

We lost possession more with Hamilton on the blue line, he also lost the puck more trying to gain possession. I distinctly remember that.

Hamilton is lousy at zone entries.

The one thing Hamilton does well on a power play is shooting the puck. He’s fantastic at that but that’s it. Severson was a better passer than him too.

I’m just going to say enjoy Luke racking up points and people complaining about him.

And if this was some weird nepotism thing Hamilton wouldn’t be getting the softer 5v5 minutes.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

For the zone entries I’m not seeing any difference between Hamilton and Luke right now.

How on earth can anyone possibly say this with a straight face?

 

[Hisch13r]

We lost possession more with Hamilton on the blue line, he also lost the puck more trying to gain possession. I distinctly remember that.

Hamilton is lousy at zone entries.

The one thing Hamilton does well on a power play is shooting the puck. He’s fantastic at that but that’s it. Severson was a better passer than him too.

I’m just going to say enjoy Luke racking up points and people complaining about him.

And if this was some weird nepotism thing Hamilton wouldn’t be getting the softer 5v5 minutes.

View attachment 760365View attachment 760366

Luke is given the impossible task of carrying around Smith but he’s getting favorable nepo minutes lol

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Cmon the Devils converting at 42% is because of Jack and bratt. I have never said Hamilton would make it go up even more and if I did please quote me.

This is hilarious nonsense. The goal from last night is a perfect example of Luke's effectiveness:



If that's Dougie taking that pass, he shoots it immediately. Instead, Luke takes his time, draws in attention, and sends it over to Meier for a beautiful tic tac toe goal.

Luke has been a huge part of our early PP success.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

We’re never making the trade. It just makes no sense for us. The price would be astronomical and if he wants to come here then we sign him

Not in 2026 if Nemec evolves well. Q.Hughes will have a lower value than today (27 years old and one year from the end of his contract). The salary cap means that 3 elite defenders at the same time would be complicated.

A Quinn Hughes vs. Simon Nemec trade in 3 years is far from an aberration. Vancouver is getting a talented defender who is 5 years younger, with a much sought-after right side and more physicality.

 

[Hisch13r]

Not in 2026 if Nemec evolves well. Q.Hughes will have a lower value than today (27 years old and one year from the end of his contract). The salary cap means that 3 elite defenders at the same time would be complicated.

A Quinn Hughes vs. Simon Nemec trade in 3 years is far from an aberration. Vancouver is getting a talented defender who is 5 years younger, with a much sought-after right side and more physicality.

And the Devils still aren’t making that deal. He signs with us or he never comes here. Fitz is not going to trade for the guy who is 4 years older just because he’s a Hughes

 

[AfroThunder396]

Not in 2026 if Nemec evolves well. Q.Hughes will have a lower value than today (27 years old and one year from the end of his contract). The salary cap means that 3 elite defenders at the same time would be complicated.

A Quinn Hughes vs. Simon Nemec trade in 3 years is far from an aberration. Vancouver is getting a talented defender who is 5 years younger, with a much sought-after right side and more physicality.

And what does this do for New Jersey, other than selling sweaters? What holes in the Devils roster will be filled by Quinn, and what will he bring to the Devils that they are currently missing? How do the Devils benefit from getting older and more expensive?

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

And the Devils still aren’t making that deal. He signs with us or he never comes here. Fitz is not going to trade for the guy who is 4 years older just because he’s a Hughes

Sorry but you're not the one who decides for New Jersey so you don't know anything. You're just a partisan.

From an outside perspective, the idea of reuniting the Hughes brothers is feasible.

Signing Quinn means having a big margin in the salary cap while there will be Nemec to sign.

Decisions can be made based on emotion. In 2021, NJ didn't really need to draft a left-handed defender, they did. And between Luke Hughes and Simon Edvinsson, they took Luke when he was less physical. Jack Hughes signed at a lower price than expected after.

The Hughes brothers are the face of the franchise. By bringing in Quinn, this brand image is reinforced. The human aspect exists more than we think.

Personally, I won't be surprised if Quinn Hughes joins New Jersey. When he signed his contract with Vancouver, I noticed that he had signed the minimum duration to be a UFA rather than having the maximum years and guaranteed money. Not a coincidence in my opinion.

Why 6 years rather than 8 in October 2021 ?

I don't believe for a second that Quinn doesn't think about the idea of joining his brothers.

I don't believe for a second that the management of New Jersey is not considering the idea of reuniting the Hughes brothers.