It is fair to say that Jack Hughes is off to the best start of his still-young NHL career. In just four games, the Orlando, Florida native has tallied four goals and 10 points to put himself in a tie for the second-most points in the entire league. Not only has he done that, but he also set a new New Jersey Devils franchise record for the fastest player to hit 10 points to start a season. In addition to that, he tied Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid’s record in the fewest games to reach their first 10 points. Hughes is proving to us all that his phenomenal 99-point campaign a year ago was no fluke.
His hot start isn’t a flash in the pan, as he has already shown signs of what is to come for the kid, who many believe hasn’t reached his peak. With McDavid out for a bit of time, now is the time to start seriously considering Hughes as your early Hart Trophy favorite. Not only does he have the skill set, but he also has the mindset that he is the best player out there every time he steps on the ice. Let’s analyze the start that Hughes has had and why he absolutely should be the favorite to be New Jersey’s second MVP in six years.
Hughes in Midseason Form Already
The Devils’ schedule has been weird, to say the least. The season officially started two weeks ago, and in that time, New Jersey has participated in just four games. While no team has played more than six, the Garden State club is tied with a handful of teams for the fewest games played so far. Last week, they only played twice, and there was a big break from last Monday to last Friday. Despite this, it hasn’t mattered to Hughes, as he is already playing like he’s in March/April.
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For anyone trying to compete and ultimately win the Hart Trophy, you need to get off to a good start. The former No. 1 pick in 2019 has done just that. Despite being behind Detroit Red Wings Alex Debrincat and Dylan Larkin in points, the reality is that Detroit has played two more games than New Jersey. So it makes what Hughes has done even more impressive since it’s come in fewer games played. Even better news is the Devils play four times this week, so it will give Hughes his first major opportunity to rack up plenty of points.
When you look at the way Hughes has showcased his skills, he can certainly compete with the best of the NHL. All 10 of his points have been primary in his four games, which shows that he is constantly a main character involved in New Jersey’s scoring success.
Hughes also carries an 18.2 percent shooting average while also getting about 23 minutes a night. When he is on the ice, the Devils themselves are sticking to their offensive philosophy by keeping the puck in the offensive zone. They are averaging 66.63% Corsi for percentage and have outshot their opponents 28-14 in high-danger chances. Simply put, the Devils and Hughes are dangerous the more he’s on the ice.
Hughes Has Enough Around Him to Truly Excel
As much as the Hart Trophy is an individual award, the player who wins it also needs support in terms of opportunities and certainly points from their team. When you look at Hughes, his New Jersey club supports him and then some. He plays alongside three other players who finished with 30-plus goals and six players with 20-plus goals scored last season. Hughes not only gets many chances to score, but he can rack up points by setting up others to finish as well. The other area that will help Hughes tremendously is what New Jersey’s special teams can and have already done so far this season.
The Devils’ power play has lived up to the expectations so far. They have scored nine goals and have a 42.9 percent success rate so far on the man advantage; the Devils lead the NHL in both categories. Their last game (a 5-4 overtime win vs. the New York Islanders last Friday) proved that given the opportunities, the Devils will pounce. Hughes himself has certainly delivered when he’s had to, as seven of his 10 points have come via the man advantage. While many will claim that Hughes and the Devils will be “power-play merchants,” this year, the truth is that you don’t want them to have too many chances, or they will make you pay.
Related: 3 Takeaways From Devils’ 5-4 Overtime Victory Over Islanders
Hughes also can take over a game on any night. In the aforementioned 5-4 overtime win last Friday night, not only did he finish with a four-point night, but he capped it off with an MVP-like rush to net the game-winner to earn the Devils’ second win of the early season. It’s plays like that that will propel Hughes into a guy who truly can win the league’s MVP.
We’re still in the early days of the season, and many things can and will change as we progress through the months. However, make no mistake about it, Jack Hughes’ play is worthy of being the early Hart Trophy favorite.