The thought of another player with at least the potential of Hischier is still surreal
- willschulme

I think Hischier is a great player.....that being said, Hughes will be better. Saying he has "the potential of Hischier" is almost selling him short IMO

I think Hischier is a great player.....that being said, Hughes will be better. Saying he has "the potential of Hischier" is almost selling him short IMO
- sensarmy_11

I did say at least, but yeah you're probably right. Feels wrong abandoning our golden child like that.

Also, how much of a difference is it that Kakko played amazingly as a 17 yr old against men, broke records and Hughes excelled against kids his age and size?

oh shut up. you're getting more than you deserve.
- Pomegrant

lol that's awesome

Yeah because it's not like the Devils haven't won the lotto for the 3rd time in the last 11 years.
- tomburton99

and each time a Crosby, Matthew, Kane, Malkin, OV, Tavares, type player wasn't available. woopdee-doo. I'm excited to win this year, but I'll be beyond thrilled if Hughes OR Hischier develop into an 80pt player.

Also, how much of a difference is it that Kakko played amazingly as a 17 yr old against men, broke records and Hughes excelled against kids his age and size?
- Leniwm1

He played against kids older than him. He also broke records set by Kane, Eichel, Matthews and Keller. This take is so bad.

and each time a Crosby, Matthew, Kane, Malkin, OV, Tavares, type player wasn't available. woopdee-doo. I'm excited to win this year, but I'll be beyond thrilled if Hughes OR Hischier develop into an 80pt player.
- MartysBetter88

So you're mad that the Devils don't win it enough?

Great Lottery again for the Devs. After some serious 1st round busts, to go Nico, Smith, Hughes over a 3 year span is unbelievable. These boys make up for Mcleod, Zacha, Quenneville who are likely bottom 6 forwards.

Now..... I have to assume we draft Hughes. He would be a great C behind Nico. That would bump Zajac to the 3/4 C. It doesn't seem right. Zacha should be 3C after closing the season on a high note. I am sure Ottawa would love Zajac's services. They currently have Paggeau and Zach Smith as their top 2 C's.
- bikeguy99

Don't forget Blackwood. If he ends up being a top 15 starter for the next 10-15yrs.. we're talking a huuuuge win there. Franchise goalies don't grow on trees.. just look around the league.

He played against kids older than him. He also broke records set by Kane, Eichel, Matthews and Keller. This take is so bad.
- tomburton99

Also think I read he had 17 pts in 11 games or something vs college competition

Out of Hughes/Kakko who is more NHL ready?
Looks like Hughes will need to beef up a bit before making the jump to the pros.

So you're mad that the Devils don't win it enough?
- tomburton99

No, but I'm bringing reality to what you said about the Devils winning 3x in 11yrs. If other teams won those years they would've had average picks as well.. but for it to happen every time Jersey won is a little bit of a downer. I'd gladly take a Tavares over Hughes or Hischier, wouldn't you?

No, but I'm bringing reality to what you said about the Devils winning 3x in 11yrs. If other teams won those years they would've had average picks as well.. but for it to happen every time Jersey won is a little bit of a downer. I'd gladly take a Tavares over Hughes or Hischier, wouldn't you?
- MartysBetter88

Yeah but I can't can control when people are born.

So the Senators made the right decision huh

No, but I'm bringing reality to what you said about the Devils winning 3x in 11yrs. If other teams won those years they would've had average picks as well.. but for it to happen every time Jersey won is a little bit of a downer. I'd gladly take a Tavares over Hughes or Hischier, wouldn't you?
- MartysBetter88

Hughes is on another level then Niko. His skill set is closer to Tavares.

He played against kids older than him. He also broke records set by Kane, Eichel, Matthews and Keller. This take is so bad.
- tomburton99

yeah, the "size" argument no weight because it's not based on anything tangible. Height doesn't correlate to quality of player. It never has and never will.

Out of Hughes/Kakko who is more NHL ready?
Looks like Hughes will need to beef up a bit before making the jump to the pros.
- FAZOOL

Both will be on NHL rosters next season.

This really sets the team up for sometime

Hall-Nico-Palms
Zacha-Hughes-Bratt
Coleman-Zajac--Andersen
4th Line a mix of all any of our 40 4th liners...

This is assuming Zacha is closer to the player we saw at the end of the season...
you cant question his defensive IQ and could really protect Hughes in the D zone, add in his shot and that is a really good second line NEXT year... with some serious potential...

I still think they need to add a real top 9 winger via trade or FA... slide Andersen down with the likes of Mcleod, Bastian, Agostino etc


.... Butcher, Severson, Smith, Green, Vatannan, and a mix of Santini, (Davies, Walsh) are not a terrible but also arent quiet ready for primetime...

Blackwood looks like the real deal, but the NHL history books are littered with goalies that were really really good for a short period of time Only time will tell....


Still will require that culture of work, and speed that Hynes and Shero have been after to be competitive every night...


But its a much more beautiful day today...

This really sets the team up for sometime

Hall-Nico-Palms
Zacha-Hughes-Bratt
Coleman-Zajac--Andersen
4th Line a mix of all any of our 40 4th liners...

This is assuming Zacha is closer to the player we saw at the end of the season...
you cant question his defensive IQ and could really protect Hughes in the D zone, add in his shot and that is a really good second line NEXT year... with some serious potential...

I still think they need to add a real top 9 winger via trade or FA... slide Andersen down with the likes of Mcleod, Bastian, Agostino etc


.... Butcher, Severson, Smith, Green, Vatannan, and a mix of Santini, (Davies, Walsh) are not a terrible but also arent quiet ready for primetime...

Blackwood looks like the real deal, but the NHL history books are littered with goalies that were really really good for a short period of time Only time will tell....


Still will require that culture of work, and speed that Hynes and Shero have been after to be competitive every night...


But its a much more beautiful day today...
- photobylolo

No wood on third line?

I would actually drop Nico to 2nd line and put Hughes with Hall. Nico has started to show he can produce without Hall. I think it would balance the scoring better.

Watching clips of Hughes, one thing that stands out is his puck control and ability to pick it from other players. That is one part of Nico's game I have always thought he was of almost elite skill in. Excellent hands in tight. Also, being that 3 on 3 is an aspect of the game now I cant help but think what Nico, Hughes and Bratt or Hall would look like. They can all move, skate, and pass so well.

I knew I forgot someone... Yes, add Wood into the mix in the top 9


I dont think we can expect Hughes to play the minutes needed with Hall in his first year... my real guess is he will bounce around the line up... Hynes has shown he is going to manage time fairly well... I could see Hughes getting a lot of offensive zone starts as 2C and Zacha getting a lot of time on D zone starts as 2C with Wood or someone sliding into his spot...

I would actually drop Nico to 2nd line and put Hughes with Hall. Nico has started to show he can produce without Hall. I think it would balance the scoring better.
- devilspep

No way. Hall and Nico are developing great chemistry.
And hughes will have a super hard time against 230 lb centerman. Put Hughes on wing and let him fly up and down.

Hall-Nico-Bratt
Zacha-Hughes-Palms
Wood-Zajac-Coleman
Agostino-McLeod/Rooney-Bastian

Then you have Boqvist and Anderson possibly in the mix too

Out of Hughes/Kakko who is more NHL ready?
Looks like Hughes will need to beef up a bit before making the jump to the pros.
- FAZOOL

That's what people said about Nico and he centered the top line of a playoff team

No way. Hall and Nico are developing great chemistry.
And hughes will have a super hard time against 230 lb centerman. Put Hughes on wing and let him fly up and down.
- Leniwm1

I wouldn't be opposed to Hughes starting on wing and keeping Zacha at center with him and either Bratt or Palmieri on the right side. Once Zajac moves on our center depth will be Hirschier, Hughes, Zacha which will be especially sweet if Zacha at least becomes a 40-50 point player. Here's hoping.