Hughes has 4 goals and 2 assists so far in today's game in case any of you were worried
- willschulme

Pretty awesome so far. This team is stacked.

Pretty awesome so far. This team is stacked.
- redmonsters

Looks like the US has a bright future in hockey, finally.

Pretty awesome so far. This team is stacked.
- redmonsters

For sure. They have what, 6 potential top 15-20 picks in this draft? Hughes, Turcotte, Boldy, Caufield, and York all playing already, and Zegras hasnt even played yet because of an injury, so they're gonna get even stronger as the tournament goes on and Zegras gets back. I'd be shocked if they didn't convincingly win the tournament, although Canada and Finland have decent squads. On another note, I really hope Hughes gets to play in the World Championships next month, Hynes could get a good up close look at him and start building chemistry there

Add another assist lol, up to 4g and 3a now
- vlongo4419

HUGhEs bust

Add another assist lol, up to 4g and 3a now
- vlongo4419

Bust

I know its early, but maybe some people already know, how will the Seattle team expansion affect us? Do we already know who is exempt?

I know its early, but maybe some people already know, how will the Seattle team expansion affect us? Do we already know who is exempt?
- Leniwm1

It's going to be the same as last time in which we don't have enough good players so whomever we lose we won't really care about.

Made me realize how far away we are. Hischier isn't MacKinnon, and neither is Hughes. And HUGHES won't be Rantanen.. he just doesn't have the size and strength. The smaller Monahan and Jonny Hockey are invisible out there. Watching that game gave me second thoughts.. that maybe Kappo could be a better option since it would give us a high-skill player with strength and size.. instead of a small speedy skilled center.
- MartysBetter88

I really don't think anybody can fully know how good a player, even a 1st overall pick, will ultimately be at this stage, maybe with the exception of someone like McDavid who's a clear tier above everybody else.

I'm by no means saying Nico will be as good as MacKinnon, but I do remember that on an episode of 31 Thoughts Jeff Marek said something about somebody he knows who has been with the Halifax Mooseheads through both MacKinnon and Nico being there, and that guy said he thought Nico was better. Players don't develop in a straight line, two seasons ago, MacKinnon had 53 points in 82 games (his fourth season in the league). Nico had 52 points in 82 games his rookie season. Before last season nobody was talking about MacKinnon as a top tier player in the league, he broke out last year, his fifth year in the league. We still have no idea how good Nico will be. Same with Hughes (or Kakko but I'm assuming it's Hughes).

I really don't think anybody can fully know how good a player, even a 1st overall pick, will ultimately be at this stage, maybe with the exception of someone like McDavid who's a clear tier above everybody else.

I'm by no means saying Nico will be as good as MacKinnon, but I do remember that on an episode of 31 Thoughts Jeff Marek said something about somebody he knows who has been with the Halifax Mooseheads through both MacKinnon and Nico being there, and that guy said he thought Nico was better. Players don't develop in a straight line, two seasons ago, MacKinnon had 53 points in 82 games (his fourth season in the league). Nico had 52 points in 82 games his rookie season. Before last season nobody was talking about MacKinnon as a top tier player in the league, he broke out last year, his fifth year in the league. We still have no idea how good Nico will be. Same with Hughes (or Kakko but I'm assuming it's Hughes).
- MannySilvers

Nico was a gift from the hockey gods. Hughes or Kakko will be too. When the Hockey gods give you two first overall picks with a magical trip to the playoffs in between it the only thing appropriate to say is thank you. (frank) MacKinnon and everyone else. I'm happy as (frank)!

Nico was a gift from the hockey gods. Hughes or Kakko will be too. When the Hockey gods give you two first overall picks with a magical trip to the playoffs in between it the only thing appropriate to say is thank you. (frank) MacKinnon and everyone else. I'm happy as (frank)!
- Queenie_5_hole

Nico is a god.

Fixed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jf4ZVoNj8s

Cool video on Jack's training. Stickhandling is sick.

Hughes has the potental as a big homerun or a huge bust IMO.

Kakko on the other hand has played against men and might not have as big of an upside, but IMO has the better chance of being a top impact player.

If I'm the devils I would at least see what Chicago would offer to move up from 3 and take that and Pod to the bank. If not I take Kakko.
- youarewrong

Couldn't disagree with you more. Hughes has the skating and vision that allows him to be successful right away. He is the most dominant player in a program that is constantly producing NHL players. There is the unlikely chance that he struggles to find his offense, but in all honesty, would be no worse than a guy like Nuge. I feel Hughes will be an absolute stud, hopefully climbing upwards of 1ppg by his 3rd year in the league.

Kakko on the other hand, has MANY risk factors. He is the best sniper in the draft, but coming to smaller ice, and being a RW that shoots left is going to significantly reduce his time to shoot. Very few wingers play on their off wing in the NHL for this reason, not to mention most "snipers" have significant curves which impairs their ability to pass off their backhand, which an off-winger is forced to do often.

Hughes seems to be getting similar treatment to Tavares in his draft year (if I'm remembering correctly, could be wrong). Tavares got exceptional player status but his best year in juniors production wise was his 16 year old season. After that his production was still really good, but never as good, and people started nit picking his skating, wondering if he was just an early bloomer, saying the Isles should take Hedman or even Duchene, etc.

Hughes' production is right up there with Eichel, Matthews, and Kane in their draft-1 years, produced really well this season, and is a much later birthday than all 3. He's going to be a damn good player and we should have no reservations taking him #1 and no reservations about playing him next year.

Hughes seems to be getting similar treatment to Tavares in his draft year (if I'm remembering correctly, could be wrong). Tavares got exceptional player status but his best year in juniors production wise was his 16 year old season. After that his production was still really good, but never as good, and people started nit picking his skating, wondering if he was just an early bloomer, saying the Isles should take Hedman or even Duchene, etc.

Hughes' production is right up there with Eichel, Matthews, and Kane in their draft-1 years, produced really well this season, and is a much later birthday than all 3. He's going to be a damn good player and we should have no reservations taking him #1 and no reservations about playing him next year.
- rmdevil313

I bet they’re wishing they did take hedman now

I bet they’re wishing they did take hedman now
- shvingter88

OK, this made me LOL!

I bet they’re wishing they did take hedman now
- shvingter88

Just gotta make sure Hughes wasn't wearing any Rangers pjs as a kid and we'll be fine.

Just gotta make sure Hughes wasn't wearing any Rangers pjs as a kid and we'll be fine.
- rmdevil313

lol

I'd say its easier to find size and skill anywhere, trade/FA, than finding the wizardry and quickness Hughes has.
- Leniwm1

yeah ray's done so well with that ...

KAKKO wilbe a very good NHL player..


HUGHES could be a franchise player..

If NJD are built on speed like Calgary we take Hughes .
If NJD are built n size like LA was. we take KAKKO....

We take HUGHES....

Hall- Nico- UFA
Wood - Hughes - Palmieri
Bratt - Zajac -Coleman
Zacha - Mcleod -Bastian
---
Roony -Anderson
----
Greene - Smith
Vats -Severson
Butcher - UFA
- thechezman

this speed thing did not work out for calgary at all , colorado's size and skill took care of that ...

when's that start again?

Anyone else watch 3rd-OT of the Avs/Flames game? Holy crap some of the best offensive hockey I've seen. Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen cannot be stopped. Then throw in this Makar kid and Barrie and my goodness. They were flying all over the ice.. everyone moving around.. fast and strong.. passes tape to tape.. really incredible.

Made me realize how far away we are. Hischier isn't MacKinnon, and neither is Hughes. And HUGHES won't be Rantanen.. he just doesn't have the size and strength. The smaller Monahan and Jonny Hockey are invisible out there. Watching that game gave me second thoughts.. that maybe Kappo could be a better option since it would give us a high-skill player with strength and size.. instead of a small speedy skilled center.

But I digress... Yzerman was 5'10 and 187 and he did ok at center. Hughes is 5'10 and 170.. could probably bump up to at least 180, maybe 185.

Hischier could still very well be an 80pt center, and maybe then we don't need a Hughes.. maybe we need a 2nd line center at that point (Oh hello Zacha! Just kidding, you bust). and then maybe a dominant RW would be the better move?

things to consider.
- MartysBetter88

couldn't agree more , playoffs so far skill and size trumps skill and finesse ...unfortunately nico is a buck 75 and gets pushed around / manhandled more often than not , and he's a great solid player , hughes is a buck 65 , plays/dominates kids and everybody expects him to come in and dominate , well as a center that ain't gonna happen and as far as iv'e seen he does not play wing ...along with smith and even davis on the back end it'll be the mighty mites every night ...every body has complained about such ... not that size is everything , but , ya gotta have balance ...was a little disappointed they didn't get the 2nd pick , to avoid all this ...tough decision for the staff ...

this speed thing did not work out for calgary at all , colorado's size and skill took care of that ...
- lowdogsoldier@gmai

Colorado’s first line took care of that