Prospect Info: Luke Hughes - part III

[haak84]

And here I thought this board would go overboard based on a 3 on 3 goal.

As someone above said, unless something happens to Dougie injury-wise, don't see much of a playoff role for Luke; particularly against teams like the Rangers, Hurricanes or Islanders.

I mean it was more his overall game tonight and how it’s the exact same game he played in Michigan and at the WJC. If he plays like that you just can’t keep him out of the lineup. He’s one of the 6 best defenseman on this team and brings a ridiculous transition game. Yes it’s now 2 NHL games but I want it to be 26 straight that he plays like that and why not start now?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

No offense, but anyone who thinks we have 6 better defenseman on this roster either doesn't understand the sport or can't evaluate talent.

 

[Clam Jensen]

No offense, but anyone who thinks we have 6 better defenseman on this roster either doesn't understand the sport or can't evaluate talent.

He has more talent than any D we have. I’ll take the warts if the trade off is making their transition game nearly unstoppable.

 

[JimEIV]

Mistakes cost playoff games and we are about to see a level of hockey that many of our regulars haven't even seen before let alone a 19 year old college kid. It's just not the time of year for "warts" or sheltering Dmen.

Edit:. And I am fully on board with the Luke train. I just don't believe for one second it's best for him or the team to play right now.

 

[HBK27]

View attachment 688087

Love this - going to grab as my playoff avatar if that's alright.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Mistakes cost playoff games and we are about to see a level of hockey that many of our regulars haven't even seen before let alone a 19 year old college kid. It's just not the time of year for "warts" or sheltering Dmen.

Edit:. And I am fully on board with the Luke train. I just don't believe for one second it's best for him or the team to play right now.

But it’s either Luke or Bahl (who doesn’t have any experience). Or Smith (who is probably even more likely to take a game losing penalty).

 

[Devils731]

But it’s either Luke or Bahl (who doesn’t have any experience). Or Smith (who is probably even more likely to take a game losing penalty).

For me, starting Bahl out of those 3 is a pretty easy call right now. He’s been playing really well so I don’t feel the need to play something of a wildcard over him.

Now, if I had to choose between Smith and Hughes to start game 1…I’d probably start Smith. I know he’s not very good but I know the general level of play I will get from him and he can provide some nastiness if the game is going that way.

Once we are passed game 1 and I have a feel for the series, then I might go with Luke over Smith. If the Rangers are trying to wheel with the Devils then I want all the skating and neutral zone talent I can get. If the Rangers are playing a passive defense then I’d stick with Smith.

——————

Hopefully it’s all a moot point as I’m pretty happy with Bahl as the 6th guy right now and the top 5 are all no doubt playing. So if everyone is healthy and the team looks good then those 6 will keep rolling.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I can live with Bahl playing over Luke, but I CANNOT live with Smith playing over either.

 

[glenwo2]

never forget!

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[Jersey Fresh]

Mistakes cost playoff games and we are about to see a level of hockey that many of our regulars haven't even seen before let alone a 19 year old college kid. It's just not the time of year for "warts" or sheltering Dmen.

Edit:. And I am fully on board with the Luke train. I just don't believe for one second it's best for him or the team to play right now.

I’m with you. There may come a time where this team is in a position where they need a spark from Luke or the series is playing out where another backend weapon is more a priority. I just don’t think we will or should start that way.

 

[glenwo2]

But it’s either Luke or Bahl (who doesn’t have any experience). Or Smith (who is probably even more likely to take a game losing penalty).

Neither does Luke.

I would take out Smith, though.

He can take his game losing penalties into the Stands with a hotdog and soda in his hands.

 

[Saugus]

Scoring his first goal to seal a comeback OT win in the last game of the season is about as storybook as it gets. These last 2 games have been an incredible debut for the kid.

 

[Devils731]

Scoring his first goal to seal a comeback OT win in the last game of the season is about as storybook as it gets. These last 2 games have been an incredible debut for the kid.

And if we are trying to project these 2 games into a playoff discussion, kudos to Luke for not trying to force things to show he’s a player.

He’s played fairly conservative unless he has seen an obvious opportunity. Playing relatively mistake free hockey upped his chances of playing in the playoffs more than a mixed bag of big errors and spectacular plays would have.

 

[JimEIV]

But it’s either Luke or Bahl (who doesn’t have any experience). Or Smith (who is probably even more likely to take a game losing penalty).

Bahl has gone through the bulk of the season and has worked out a lot of his warts this year.

He's only got 66 career games but he has played for parts of three seasons now and mostly all under Ruff's system. Bahl can also kill penalties and brings a physical aspect that most of our D just don't.

 

[Barry Tallackson]

I want Bahl playing game 1 against the Rangers

 

[MartyOwns]

I’m with you. There may come a time where this team is in a position where they need a spark from Luke or the series is playing out where another backend weapon is more a priority. I just don’t think we will or should start that way.

i would do the complete opposite lol. he didn’t look out of place at all, i’d put him in game 1. if it looks like he’s in over his head, sit him. but i think he’s earned a spot.

 

[glenwo2]

And if we are trying to project these 2 games into a playoff discussion, kudos to Luke for not trying to force things to show he’s a player.

He’s played fairly conservative unless he has seen an obvious opportunity. Playing relatively mistake free hockey upped his chances of playing in the playoffs more than a mixed bag of big errors and spectacular plays would have.

The only thing is for him to STAY ON HIS FEET.

He kept falling down as much as Clarkson did.

Maybe he should ask "Frosty" to fix his skates or something.

Falling down as a Defenseman IN THE PLAYOFFS would be absolutely devastating against a Playoff opponent.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

You can tell Luke is still overthinking a little - which of course he will. I saw a couple mental pauses last night. Luckily he didn't get burned by them.

Having said that - reminds me of Jack's sophmore year. We're starting to see the flashes of what he will be.

I'm pretty hyped. Don't necessarily want him to play in the playoffs - barring circumstances.

 

[glenwo2]

I want Bahl playing game 1 against the Rangers

Me, too. It makes too much sense.

And I also want you to get a new Avy.

I mean COME ON, MAN. Is this some kind of running joke? lol

 

[JimEIV]

i would do the complete opposite lol. he didn’t look out of place at all, i’d put him in game 1. if it looks like he’s in over his head, sit him. but i think he’s earned a spot.

If you have to sit a player, shelter a player, limited the situations they face in any way, you asking every other Dman to do more...

That's fine for a Tuesday night game against Arizona in December... it's f***ing stupid against the Rangers in a 7 game series in our first playoff appearance in 5 years

 

[GameSeven]

It was interesting to hear Lindy answer the question about how he thought Luke played.

He said his impression was that he'd had a good game but he'd be checking tape. I suspect the staff is going to think long and hard about his potential role.

My gut tells me he's part of the squad on opening night, even if it means rolling 11-7.

I think trying to put him in a role of a spark or weapon off the bench is too much pressure to put on the kid.

Let him get his taste of the playoffs and see what he can do when the pressure is lower. If things go south and he looks overwhelmed, you can sub him out in later games.

 

[MartyOwns]

If you have to sit a player, shelter a player, limited the situations they face in any way, you asking every other Dman to do more...

That's fine for a Tuesday night game against Arizona in December... it's f***ing stupid against the Rangers in a 7 game series in our first playoff appearance in 5 years

sitting our best prospect if he’s in over his head when we have other defenseman who can step in is f***ing stupid? the smartest thing is to sit him until we’re in trouble and then throw him in there as our teenaged savior? oof

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I want Bahl playing game 1 against the Rangers

I think Bahl should take Graves' spot.

 

[JimEIV]

sitting our best prospect if he’s in over his head when we have other defenseman who can step in is f***ing stupid? the smartest thing is to sit him until we’re in trouble and then throw him in there as our teenaged savior? oof

I assumed you meant "sitting him" in game? Sitting him in game means your other 5 Dmen have to absorb those minutes... forcing the other 5 to do more in a high pressure situation is what is stupid.

 

[MartyOwns]

I assumed you meant "sitting him" in game? Sitting him in game means your other 5 Dmen have to absorb those minutes... forcing the other 5 to do more in a high pressure situation is what is stupid.

no, i meant sitting him in game 3 if he’s over his head in games 1 and 2. which, by the way, i don’t think he will be. i think he’ll be fine.