Luke Hughes has taken a massive step forward

Emperoreddy

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There are shifts where him, Jack, and Bratt are circling the net like sharks trading chances. Luke is able to get in deep and still get back to cover D.

His stride and his long reach make him an absolute pain in the ass to get past and stay past.

I've seen him snuff out a lot of plays that could have been clean breaks for the opposition and make it look almost routine

Bratt is also the 4th adopted Hughes brother.
 

wetcoast

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If he didn't start the year hurt he'd be well into the Norris conversation.
No Dman is winning the norris or in the conversation playing just over 20 MPG.

His progression has been great this year but this is something a few Habs/Sens fans would and have said about Sanderson and Hutson.

Maybe he makes that step next year.
 

dgibb10

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No Dman is winning the norris or in the conversation playing just over 20 MPG.

His progression has been great this year but this is something a few Habs/Sens fans would and have said about Sanderson and Hutson.

Maybe he makes that step next year.
"Makes that step"

By that do you just mean "is placed on PP1"? Because unfortunately yes, in 2024 sadly you need to get PP1 time to get respect from norris voters. Unfortunately for luke he plays behind one of, if not the best PP dman (at minimum) in the league

The 3 dman you mentioned. There seems to be a bit of a difference here.
Screenshot 2024-12-28 at 11.26.39 AM.png
 

wetcoast

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"Makes that step"

By that do you just mean "is placed on PP1"? Because unfortunately yes, in 2024 sadly you need to get PP1 time to get respect from norris voters. Unfortunately for luke he plays behind one of, if not the best PP dman (at minimum) in the league

The 3 dman you mentioned. There seems to be a bit of a difference here.
View attachment 952348
No Dman is in the Norris discussion if he doesn't play a top role on either the PP or PK unit of his team that's just reality.
 
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WhiskeyYerTheDevils

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No Dman is winning the norris or in the conversation playing just over 20 MPG.

His progression has been great this year but this is something a few Habs/Sens fans would and have said about Sanderson and Hutson.

Maybe he makes that step next year.
Those two are promising young dmen but they simply aren't on Luke's level.
 

Jason MacIsaac

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Luke’s defensive game, which I predicted, came much faster than even I expected. Based on all three brothers ability to improve weaknesses rapidly, It wouldn’t surprise me is he starts scoring goals at a top level for defensmen as early as next year. If they give him PP1 role next year he will be a point per game or better.

Probably excellent value for a 25-26 Norris bet.
 

wetcoast

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Yup, the sad reality for sure.
What's sad is that some people are cherry picking selective stats as well.

Only Quinn Hughes has more ESP since November 22nd one would think he would be a league leader in that category but when I looked he is tied for 44th in ESP by a dman and NJ has played the most games in the league.



Like I said he is progressing very well and will take the next step at some point but he will not and doesn't deserve Norris consideration yet.

Those two are promising young dmen but they simply aren't on Luke's level.
I wasn't comparing them but rather talking about a select few posters who pumped their tires too early and read my post above as Luke is progressing well but Norris consideration is premature at this point.
 

WhiskeyYerTheDevils

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What's sad is that some people are cherry picking selective stats as well.

Only Quinn Hughes has more ESP since November 22nd one would think he would be a league leader in that category but when I looked he is tied for 44th in ESP by a dman and NJ has played the most games in the league.



Like I said he is progressing very well and will take the next step at some point but he will not and doesn't deserve Norris consideration yet.
Luke missed the first 9 games of the season....
 

WhiskeyYerTheDevils

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He is also going to play fewer games that everyone else going forward and won't be in the Norris discussion this year, maybe he gets some random vote but even then it will really stand out.
No disagreement there. But he's been arguably the 2nd or 3rd best dman in the league for the last 6 weeks.
 

wetcoast

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No disagreement there. But he's been arguably the 2nd or 3rd best dman in the league for the last 6 weeks.
I think that's highly debatable but we will never know as there isn't any Nov15- December 31st Norris award and playing just over 20 MPG even if their was I doubt that he is seriously considered top 10 for that period.

Just to note they have played 18 games since November 15 and only 6 road games of which 2 were against playoff teams.

So I'd argue that no he hasn't been the 2nd or 3rd best Dman since Nov 15th and wouldn't have him top 10 even if I think his progression has been really good.
 

dgibb10

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What's sad is that some people are cherry picking selective stats as well.

Only Quinn Hughes has more ESP since November 22nd one would think he would be a league leader in that category but when I looked he is tied for 44th in ESP by a dman and NJ has played the most games in the league.



Like I said he is progressing very well and will take the next step at some point but he will not and doesn't deserve Norris consideration yet.


I wasn't comparing them but rather talking about a select few posters who pumped their tires too early and read my post above as Luke is progressing well but Norris consideration is premature at this point.
Yeah he had a ridiculously unlucky 2% on ice shooting% to start the year, combined with getting adjusted to being healthy, a new partner, and a new system all at once.

Since he has gotten adjusted, he has been arguably the best EV dman in the league.

So, if he was healthy and didn't have that adjustment period (eg happened in the preseason/training camp) , the claim is he would have a full season of his current, dominant level of play
 
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wetcoast

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Yeah he had a ridiculously unlucky 2% on ice shooting% to start the year, combined with getting adjusted to being healthy, a new partner, and a new system all at once.

Since he has gotten adjusted, he has been arguably the best EV dman in the league.

So, if he was healthy and didn't have that adjustment period (eg happened in , the claim is he would have a full season of his current, dominant level of play
I disagree and most teams aren't going to play 12 of 18 games at home then have 2 of 6 road games against playoff teams.

Is he progressing well, yes.

Is he playing like a Norris contender translated over a full season it's NO.
 

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