HUGHESSSSSSSSSS
- willschulme

..but can he play defense

well then.

Couldn't believe Chicago won, but that's how this lotto thing works.
Still can't believe NY won. I was so pissed. NY and Chicago, of all teams, are gona bounce us to 5th.
.. .then.. when that LA Kings logo was revealed.. hooo baby. Kind of a nice exchange going from 5th to 1st!!!

I can't be alone in feeling that I'd rather have absolutely ANY other team picking after us than NY. Because now, whoever we pick will be compared with who goes 2nd.. and man it would suck to have whoever NY picks to be the better player than ours.

But at the end of the day, we have to trust our scouts, and celebrate the opportunity to pick whoever the heck they think is best.
If both players are comparable, you take the dynamic center over the winger. You take Crosby over OV. .. at least I do. I just think centers have more of an opportunity to make a line better than a winger.

Hischer, Hughes, Zacha down the middle. If both centers are 80pt guys.. and Zacha by some prayer is a 50pt guy.. even 45.. I'll be happy. Hall can be the 100pt player, if healthy. Hopefully Hughes doesn't get hurt in his first season. Kid is so young and light.
- MartysBetter88

Between Nolan, Nico, Hughes, Kakko, the metro is gonna get crazy in a few years

Also, I read that Hughes might actually not be good a C against the big boys so its possible he becomes a winger.
But we have Zacha that'll rip it next year. Bratt. Bovquist. Smith. Hall is def gonna resign.

This could get serious pretty quick.

Between Nolan, Nico, Hughes, Kakko, the metro is gonna get crazy in a few years

Also, I read that Hughes might actually not be good a C against the big boys so its possible he becomes a winger.
But we have Zacha that'll rip it next year. Bratt. Bovquist. Smith. Hall is def gonna resign.

This could get serious pretty quick.
- Leniwm1

Zacha will rip nothing but my heart in two.

Gosh, he's just 5'10 and 168 lbs. That's just 10 pounds lighter than me and same height. If I got hit by a 200lb man ... let alone 225lb man.. My body would crush. Small frame kid in the middle of the ice. yeesh. Kakko is 6'2, 181lbs.

Crosby is just 5'11... Kane is 5'10.. Johnny G.. I wonder how much Crosby weighed his draft year.

Nico is 6 foot , 175. How much more muscle will he put on? 5 pounds tops? Hughes would give us 2 light centers down the middle. idk. If they can be amazing then it's worth it.. but it's not the most secure looking future I can imagine, compared to other teams' 1-2 punches. Add to it that Hall is a given to miss 25% of each season..

tough choice.

Zacha will rip nothing but my heart in two.
- MartysBetter88

lol

Gosh, he's just 5'10 and 168 lbs. That's just 10 pounds lighter than me and same height. If I got hit by a 200lb man ... let alone 225lb man.. My body would crush. Small frame kid in the middle of the ice. yeesh. Kakko is 6'2, 181lbs.

Crosby is just 5'11... Kane is 5'10.. Johnny G.. I wonder how much Crosby weighed his draft year.
- MartysBetter88

He was 176 pounds when he was drafted. I can see a world where Hughes gets close to that over the summer before the season starts. He's still only 17 though, he'll add the weight. If it makes you feel any better, Johnny G is still listed at 165, so Hughes has 3 pounds on him! lol

He was 176 pounds when he was drafted. I can see a world where Hughes gets close to that over the summer before the season starts. He's still only 17 though, he'll add the weight. If it makes you feel any better, Johnny G is still listed at 165, so Hughes has 3 pounds on him! lol
- vlongo4419

it'll still make our top 2 centers relatively light and easy to bounce around.. risky

it'll still make our top 2 centers relatively light and easy to bounce around.. risky
- MartysBetter88

#intangibles #grit/60

#intangibles #grit/60
- Pomegrant

i feel like the only way a guy that small can succeed at center is if he can see the future and evade players before they get to him and see the plays develop before the happen and have the hands and speed to make it all happen. last I checked, Hughes isn't McDavid. idk. we'll see.

I guess at the end of the day, all the scouts and fancy people are aware of his size, but still have him ranked #1. so there's that.

I guess at the end of the day, all the scouts and fancy people are aware of his size, but still have him ranked #1. so there's that.
- MartysBetter88

I’d like to consider myself a fancy person and I still want Kakko.

Thank you Jesus... and Taylor Hall.... and Lotto Balls!

it'll still make our top 2 centers relatively light and easy to bounce around.. risky
- MartysBetter88

I dont think it's that risky with the way the game is played nowadays, their speed and skill more than makes up for their lack of size. I think you're just trying to find something to complain about just to complain, as is the internet now it seems. We're about to have our top 2 line centers for the next 10-15+ years and people will still try to find something they dont like about it, i dont get it lol. We're getting a very good player, be happy. All scouts have mentioned that his size will not be an issue at the next level, and i trust what they say considering they watch him play more than any of us and know the game more than any of us. Sorry if im being a Richard, but everywhere i look somebody always finds something to complain about, whether its "not tanking properly" or whatever the case may be. This has been labeled the Jack Hughes draft for years, and we just won that. Lets enjoy it. I'm not saying he'll be better than Matthews, or even compare to him, but just look at both of their stats when playing for the USTDP, its crazy. Hughes has a 2.00 ppg pace over a 150 game sample, about a half point better than Matthews over the same sample size. He may never be as good as Matthews, but just be excited we're gonna be getting an electric and dynamic player to inject straight into our lineup next season

I dont think it's that risky with the way the game is played nowadays, their speed and skill more than makes up for their lack of size. I think you're just trying to find something to complain about just to complain, as is the internet now it seems. We're about to have our top 2 line centers for the next 10-15+ years and people will still try to find something they dont like about it, i dont get it lol. We're getting a very good player, be happy. All scouts have mentioned that his size will not be an issue at the next level, and i trust what they say considering they watch him play more than any of us and know the game more than any of us. Sorry if im being a Richard, but everywhere i look somebody always finds something to complain about, whether its "not tanking properly" or whatever the case may be. This has been labeled the Jack Hughes draft for years, and we just won that. Lets enjoy it. I'm not saying he'll be better than Matthews, or even compare to him, but just look at both of their stats when playing for the USTDP, its crazy. Hughes has a 2.00 ppg pace over a 150 game sample, about a half point better than Matthews over the same sample size. He may never be as good as Matthews, but just be excited we're gonna be getting an electric and dynamic player to inject straight into our lineup next season
- vlongo4419

this guy. who are you? I just started seeing you this month, while I've been here for several years. You had a moment resembling that of a Richard, but I take no offense. I'm not complaining for the sake of complaining. I'm voicing concern for the case of discussing the concern with fellow Devils fans. I know he's the top ranked guy. I'm not looking for things to "complain" about.. I'm looking into the pros and cons of this guy in comparison to Kakko. simma down.

this guy. who are you? I just started seeing you this month, while I've been here for several years. You had a moment resembling that of a Richard, but I take no offense. I'm not complaining for the sake of complaining. I'm voicing concern for the case of discussing the concern with fellow Devils fans. I know he's the top ranked guy. I'm not looking for things to "complain" about.. I'm looking into the pros and cons of this guy in comparison to Kakko. simma down.
- MartysBetter88

Well Hughes will be the top pick, baring him under-performing at the U18s and getting majorly outplayed by Kakko at the World Championships(if Hughes goes). His size isnt an issue whatsoever, and you take the elite center over the elite winger if its coin flip. Both are elite prospects and will be very good players, and i'm happy as hell to be able to even get the opportunity to draft one, but Hughes will be the pick. Just dont worry about his size, he more than makes up for it with his speed, skill, vision, and instinct

It's that time..

maybe something like..

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri/Bratt
Lee-Hughes-Bratt/Palms
Zacha-Zajac-Coleman
Wood-Rooney/Q/McLeod-Bastian

Smith-Vatanen
Greene-Severson
Butcher-Carrick

Yak, Noesen. I like both of their games, but Bastian may develop into an NHL player with 3rd line/Maroon upside. Wouldn't be the worst thing to have him on the 4th line. I'm maintaining that Wood is a career 3rd/4th liner, nothing more or less.. which.. if he has a 10 year career on 3rd and 4th lines, isn't really that bad of a career really.

D pairs will be interesting. I have high hopes for Smith. Actually I'm really excited for this kid. He could be something special for us. Finally, a really bright prospect on defense. Butcher is good and improving, but Smith.. that kid looked great in preseason and has had a crazy good year.

It's a tossup who to put where in those top 4. Inexperienced Smith with our best dman? .. or slowing and aging veteran with the best dman and Smith with an average Severson? What pair do you feel most comfortable getting D-zone starts?

Between Hall, Hischier, Palmieri, Bratt, Hughes, Coleman, Smith, a healthy Vatanen, BLACKWOOD, and Schneider back in form.. it certainly feels like there's a lot to be excited about next season. I'm optimistic Zacha can manage to crack 35 points next year too, while being solid defensively. He's not an idiot or a bad player.. I still see potential there.. I just get down on him because of where he was drafted, but I don't hate him.

What would it take for you to trade the pick?

What would it take for you to trade the pick?
- Crushers68

Whoever it would be, they can't be older than 26. It is really hard for me to pass up having two potential 60-90 point centers on our team UNDER 21 YEARS OLD.

It feels like forever since we've had youth like this. I'm not sure we ever have. 2 young stud centers, a young stud goalie, what I think will be a young stud D in Smith, and then the guys in their prime are actual contributors... MVP Hall, top line RW Palmieri, and Coleman plays with grit AND could pot 25 next year. .. .all 3 of these guys 27-28 years old. So good. And then there's the wildcard Zacha, who's 22 and honestly could be a 60pt guy if he can put everything together.


We also can't toss Nico aside (not saying anyone is), with Hughes here. Nico is very much still developing.. 20 years old playing in the NHL. I'd keep him with Hall if we want to win. It's going to be very interesting what they do with these kids. Maybe put a responsible Zacha on the LW of Hughes and Palmieri for some grit on the right? I'd be ok with that.

Hall-Hischier-Bratt
Zacha-Hughes-Palmieri (you gotta admit, this looks quite nice)
Wood-Zajac-Coleman
Agostino-Rooney/Q/McLeod-Bastian

Still wouldn't mind adding another top 6 player to bump guys down one spot.

you know what else would look pretty?

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Panarin-Hughes-Bratt


Panarin-Zibanejad-Kakko would be nasty though.. damn.

What would it take for you to trade the pick?
- Crushers68

Hughes didnt look excited when Devils were anounced. He wanted to be a ranger. its kakko time.

Nico first Swiss at 1.
Kakko first Finish at 1.

If you wanna be sold on Kakko:
https://youtu.be/wDFz9N0tThI

Not going to be productive day at work today at all ... still can't believe we won the lottery again.

Such a different perspective coming into the off season now. If they can grab one or more top UFAs and sign Hall this team could actually be a contender for a sustainable amount of time.

If Hughes works with Hall in the Summer he will come into camp a step ahead.

tiny Hughes gonna be a buuuuuuuuust

2 seasons max and he's in pieces!

f'n Debbies - game on
- 21peter

Agreed