SteveCangialosi123
Registered User
Those are “one of the best teams in the league” problems. Bottom feeders give turds big minutes.
I would like for you to explain how a “bottom pairing dman” plays the most even strength minutes though.
Luke Hughes has taken a massive step forward
- Thread starter WhiskeyYerTheDevils
- Start date
I would like for you to explain how a “bottom pairing dman” plays the most even strength minutes though.
LeonDraisaitl
Registered User
No I don’t think so but he is related to Quinn Hughes
Am I or are you? The guy play 17-20 minutes a night. Sheltered minutes on most nights. He’s on the third pairing and play no special team (except the odd 20-30 sec PP2 here and there).
He’s doing well in his role right now but you have to call a duck a duck. He’s a very effective 3rd pair D right who will most likely grow into a bigger role over the years. I’m not exactly sure what the hot take is here.
He has to get minutes now doesn’t he? If he’s not getting PP1, PK1 or PK2 minutes he has to get them somewhere else? What am I missing here?
Dueling Banjos
Registered User
- Oct 29, 2014
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SteveCangialosi123
Registered User
You’re missing that he’s closer to a top pairing defenseman than a bottom pairing defenseman. That’s how he is being deployed at even strength, where what pairing you’re on matters.
there will never be a day where a Hutson will be better than a Hughes
Romang67
BitterSwede
The idea that bottom pairing D-men get top pairing 5v5 ice time if they don't play on the PK or PP is a new one I hadn't seen before.
Then why is he constantly the least used D on a nightly basis? Aren’t they trying to win? Wouldn’t your best D be the one you use in all situation?
Romang67
BitterSwede
I'm not even sure how 17 minutes of sheltered 5v5 ice time per game would work.
Because Dougie Hamilton is one of the best PP weapons in the NHL helping to lead the best power play in the league
Forge
Blissfully Mediocre
9 million for 8 years is what I'm ready for
It doesn’t.
He’s third of the team in 5v5 minutes per game for defensemen (and there isn’t a real difference between top 4). He’s ahead of both Hamilton/Dillion pair by over a minute per game. He’s playing a top-4 defense role.
Important to note.
Nemec and Casey playing like 10 minutes a game 5v5 has inflated numbers for the other 2 pairings TOIs on the year.
Since luke came back, him and Pesce lead the team in EV ice time,
A minute per game ahead of siegs
about 1.5 ahead of kovy
about 2 ahead of dougie, and about 3 minutes a game ahead of dillon
Because that's a lie.
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Clearly he is because they went from a bit better than average in the NHL to top PP when they had 4 other pieces with PPG or nearly PPG on the PP1.
Again, that just prove my point that Hughes just isn’t there in his development yet. He’s got potential but whether he gets there or not is still up in the air.
Having an actual netfront guy in Noesen helps (and has unlocked Nico on the PP after being shoved into a round hole as a square peg for years) but yes, Dougie is better suited for this PP1 than Luke.
NJD has 2 other elite entry guys on PP1 in Jack and Bratt.
Dougie has an elite point shot that the rest of the 4 lack and a PP needs
Luke is an entry guy on PP2, making him better suited for that role where him and Meier can be the engines.
And with time, Luke appears to have the defensive skills to be a PK guy using his length and stickwork. But at this point, it isn't something he's done a lot of and you don't try and teach as you go when winning games matters.
And so, luke plays PP2, 1st pairing, not on the PK
Dougie plays PP1, 3rd pairing,not on the PK
Dillon plays PK, 3rd pairing, not on the PP
Pesce plays PK, 1st pairing, not on the PP
Siegs plays PK, 2nd pairing, not on the PP
Kovy plays PK, 2nd pairing, not on the PP
Clam Jensen
Registered User
You don’t have to secretly project what you’re afraid of re: Hutson towards another D who is currently and will continue in the future to be much better. Take the L and move on, it’s okay sweetie.
Lou is God
Registered User
I don’t disagree with everything you said. I simply said he doesn’t have it in him right now but he’s certainly got the talent to get there at some point in the future — He’s likely to grow into a bigger role over the years.
I stated facts and some Devils fans got pissy and defensive about it. Projection/potential and current play are two very different thing. It doesn’t make him a bad player, just not the complete player some people seem to think he is right now because he had a good 4-5 game stretch on a limited role.
PWiz30
I love to hockey!
- Jan 3, 2013
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Luke Hughes would be on PP1 for nearly every other team in the NHL, including Montreal. 
He is currently an elite EV player, producing effectively both offensively and defensively, playing an EV role that is not sheltered in the slightest.
He is a PP guy who has shown he can run a PP1 last year, but currently has one of the best PP guys in the league ahead of him. Very very few dmen in the league would make sense to play over Hamilton, especially on this NJD power play that the only thing it really lacks from the other 4 guys is a cannon from the point, and also would leave them without a righty on the outside (noesen playing netfront/puck retrevial) . Here is where you confuse opportunity with ability. Luke has shown the ability to effectively run a PP.
He is not currently a PK guy. Based on what I have seen he would be able to do it, but NJD is in a win now mode and is trusting the veterans who have done well in that role.
Habs already have a better dman for that situationLuke Hughes would be on PP1 for nearly every other team in the NHL, including Montreal.
