Luke Hughes has taken a massive step forward

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

another 20 minute, 85% xG% effort. Dude is an animal.

 

[goonybird]

I thought we were supposed to finally admit he's no good

 

[mphmiles]

He’s a menace. I imagine he’s 4th in denials/20 because teams don’t want to challenge Pesce but little do they know it’s probably harder to beat Luke at this point

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Phenomenal skater + 6'2 frame + great stick.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Phenomenal skater + 6'2 frame + great stick.

He looks like Jaccob Slavin there.

 

[wetcoast]

He looks like Jaccob Slavin there.

Malkin looks 38.

 

[dgibb10]

64.2% xGoals share 5v5.

Best in the league among dmen

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Offensive puck luck is starting to improve. 13 points in his last 15 games while playing incredible two way hockey.

This kid is just unbelievably good.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Offensive puck luck is starting to improve. 13 points in his last 15 games while playing incredible two way hockey.

This kid is just unbelievably good.

Well on his way to being a #1. There was never a doubt about his physical traits and skill. The big question was whether or not he’d be able to be a plus defender. He has been a plus defender this season and is getting better and better each game.

Him being a #1 takes a lot of pressure off guys like Nemec, Casey, Silayev, etc in the future. The Devils D is in a great spot now and going forward thanks in large part to Luke’s ascension.

 

[Hisch13r]

Offensive puck luck is starting to improve. 13 points in his last 15 games while playing incredible two way hockey.

This kid is just unbelievably good.

He's doing that without even being on PP1 as well. Tied 6th for Dmen in 5v5 pts over that span. In terms of 5v5 primary pts he is 2nd only to his brother. Tied for 8th in total pts among Dmen over that span and tied 3rd in total primary pts

Well on his way to being a #1. There was never a doubt about his physical traits and skill. The big question was whether or not he’d be able to be a plus defender. He has been a plus defender this season and is getting better and better each game.

Him being a #1 takes a lot of pressure off guys like Nemec, Casey, Silayev, etc in the future. The Devils D is in a great spot now and going forward thanks in large part to Luke’s ascension.

He's already playing like a #1 and a Norris contending guy at that. It's just a matter of him sustaining this level of play. He could start playing considerably worse and still be playing like a #1 right now.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

His growth this season has been remarkable, hopefully it's sustainable as well. Last season he was getting run over almost nightly, this season he's moving the puck quicker and avoiding that contact a lot better.

 

[NJDevils17]

Playing alongside Pesce has been a godsend. Physical ability and tools have always been elite but the technical aspect of his game on D has been really good the last month+.

Personally, didn’t expect him to make a jump defensively this quickly but I’m crazy impressed. I think he’s going to make it very tough to leave off the 2026 Olympic team at this pace.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Personally, didn’t expect him to make a jump defensively this quickly but I’m crazy impressed. I think he’s going to make it very tough to leave off the 2026 Olympic team at this pace.

It's crazy. The way he's been playing is where I had his ceiling pegged at. It's pretty clear I underrated his upside.

 

[BHD]

I can watch the Hughes-Pesce pairing forever

 

[HBK27]

 

[SladeWilson23]

Is it too late for Jim and Ellen to have more kids?