When the New Jersey Devils drafted Jack Hughes number one overall in 2019, it marked a moment in their franchise when they looked to turn the page to a new era. Long were the days of Zach Parise and Illya Kovalchuk. Martin Brodeur and Scott Stevens were long retired. Recent Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall was traded. New Jersey hadn't made serious playoff noise in seven years, and they needed a new franchise player to take the mantle.
Hughes, a small but speedy center born in Florida of all places, had risen the ranks of United States junior hockey and quickly made his NHL debut in the 2019-20 season. Despite injury issues that included an MCL sprain, plus pandemic-shortened seasons, Hughes still developed well as an NHL player at an incredible young age.
As a full-time NHLer, he's wasted no time making his mark on the game. In his first complete season, Hughes mounted 99 points in the regular season and led the Devils back to the postseason. This trend of high point production continued through the next two seasons despite a season-ending shoulder injury last April.
New Jersey desperately missed Hughes when they were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2024-25. But with a new season now underway, Hughes is off to a red-hot start. In the first ten games, Hughes has tallied nine goals, including two game-winning goals, to goal along with five assists and a whopping 23.7 shot percentage. In that span, New Jersey also had an eight game winning streak.
If New Jersey wants to stay relevant in an ever-competitve Eastern Conference, they'll need Hughes to put up Hart-like numbers this season. Given his supporting cast that includes Timo Meier and Nico Hischier, Hughes and the Devils should have all the fire and fury they need.