C Jack Hughes - USNTDP (2019 Draft) Part 4

[93LEAFS]

Anders Lee, Joe Pavelski, Bandon Montour. 40 of the top 700 scorers from last season spent thier age 18 season in the ushl, 60 played in the qmjhl, 13 played in the bchl.

I was referring exclusively to 19-year-olds (who are the 3 guys listed). I know 18-year-olds aren't uncommon, but 19-year-olds becoming top 6 guys is about the same as the 20-year-old CHL players who become players of impact in the NHL. It's rare but it happens (Muzzin, Marchessault, etc).

 

[My3Sons]

Exhibition games against college teams aren't really equal to playing in the NCAA or the CHL. Matthews too greatly benefited from playing in Switzerland for a year before starting his NHL career. There's nothing wrong with the NTDP in itself, but there's quite a gap between it and the NHL.

Right because NCAA players wouldn’t want to play hard against the darling hockey program that includes the most talented kids and show either an NHL team or even their own coach they can hang with or best those guys. I’m thinking a game against a national development team is above a non conference or mismatch game but below something like the Beanpot.

That said you appear to have your mind made up about Hughes and for any number of reasons you think he is not that good. As always you are entitled to your opinion as are all posters.

Just for the record will you suggest what his career trajectory will he like? If you are so certain about his abilities why not explain what sort of player he will be in the NHL and what his scoring pace will be?

 

[Albatros]

If he can figure it out he can be a PPG or slightly above player in the NHL, if not then a poor man's RNH in a more limited role.

 

[Edmonton East]

If he can figure it out he can be a PPG or slightly above player in the NHL, if not then a poor man's RNH in a more limited role.

Lol always great to see player evaluations that are essentially he can either be:

A top 25 player in the league
Or
A POOR man's 60 point player (so I'm guessing that means 50 or so and a D liability)

Great take. And I'm still undecided on Hughes vs Kakko, so it's not like I'm just looking to defend Hughes here.

 

[Albatros]

That's Hughes for you. Kakko on the other hand has lower ceiling but also higher floor. Rantanen or Rantanen lite. Like I've said before I wouldn't be surprised if Byram proves to be the best player of the draft.

 

[Whalers Fan]

Because he plays in the USHL and wasn't exactly destroying the U20 tournament. No first overall ever has made a direct jump from the USHL to the NHL.

He also played a significant number of games versus NCAA opponents. And I don’t want to hear “it’s an exhibition for the NCAA team”, either. I have seen many of those games in person, and the NCAA teams do not take these games off.

 

[Get North]

There's no way Jack Hughes can play center in these NHL playoffs as good as he is. When you see how Marner, Gaudreau, Kucherov did, I would think about Kakko especially after seeing Stone, Couture, Rantanen, Hertl at the top of the NHL playoff scoring.

 

[Albatros]

He also played a significant number of games versus NCAA opponents. And I don’t want to hear “it’s an exhibition for the NCAA team”, either. I have seen many of those games in person, and the NCAA teams do not take these games off.

They totally are exhibition games though, all about scoring goals and little else.

 

[bigdog16]

I was referring exclusively to 19-year-olds (who are the 3 guys listed). I know 18-year-olds aren't uncommon, but 19-year-olds becoming top 6 guys is about the same as the 20-year-old CHL players who become players of impact in the NHL. It's rare but it happens (Muzzin, Marchessault, etc).

Always an odd egg out of every league. Torey Krug out of USHL

 

[Blade Paradigm]

Jack got out-hustled on the first Team Russia goal. Some lazy backchecking there.



Team Russia wins 3-2, advances to the Gold Medal match. Jack picks up one assist in a 3-2 loss. Team USA had 8 powerplays in the game.

Even Craig Button, who usually defends Jack, was critical of him on this play.

Team USA plays for the bronze medal tomorrow.

 

[ijuka]

Jack got out-hustled on the first Team Russia goal. Some lazy backchecking there.



Team Russia wins 3-2, advances to the Gold Medal match. Jack picks up one assist in a 3-2 loss. Team USA had 8 powerplays in the game.

Even Craig Button, who usually defends Jack, was critical of him on this play.

Team USA plays for the bronze medal tomorrow.

He showed his trademark wide pond hockey turn here as well. Instead of immediately braking and challenging the Russian forwards, he takes a wide turn all the way around, completely outside the play, and the Russians have all the time in the world to score.

 

[zharkenby]

He showed his trademark wide pond hockey turn here as well. Instead of immediately braking and challenging the Russian forwards, he takes a wide turn all the way around, completely outside the play, and the Russians have all the time in the world to score.

It was a bad play... but I don’t think you realize how dumb you sound with the wide turn thing. You’re just killing your credibility

 

[Lou is God]

If he can figure it out he can be a PPG or slightly above player in the NHL, if not then a poor man's RNH in a more limited role.

"If he can figure it out"

When you watch Hughes play, do you put your hands in front of your eyes? You're ridiculous, the kid just tore up the tournament and in your "eyes" he still hasn't figured it out. You either don't know shit about hockey or you're simply trolling;

 

[Lou is God]

It was a bad play... but I don’t think you realize how dumb you sound with the wide turn thing. You’re just killing your credibility

A lot of people are sounding dumb in this thread.

 

[bigdog16]

#WideTurns

 

[Albatros]

When you watch Hughes play, do you put your hands in front of your eyes? You're ridiculous, the kid just tore up the tournament and in your "eyes" he still hasn't figured it out. You either don't know **** about hockey or you're simply trolling;

U18 WJC is not "the" tournament. Hughes has never played against opposition that would adequately prepare him for the level of physical play that awaits in the NHL, thus he has a lot both to learn and also to prove.

 

[SabresSharks]

#WideTurns

#PondHockey

 

[Lou is God]

U18 WJC is not "the" tournament. Hughes has never played against opposition that would adequately prepare him for the level of physical play that awaits in the NHL, thus he has a lot both to learn and also to prove.

He's dominating against his own peers and there is nothing to suggest he can't handle the physical play of the NHL and even if he plays in the NHL next year and it's obvious he needs to get stronger then he will, again, there is nothing to suggest he won't except your own bias and hate for him.

A poor man's RHN, get the f*** out of here with that crap

 

[Albatros]

I have nothing against him, I just think he's become increasingly overrated.

 

[Whalers Fan]

They totally are exhibition games though, all about scoring goals and little else.

How many of these games have you actually watched?

 

[Emperoreddy]

Pond hockey wide turns is a new one.

 

[FoxyClean]

I still think he'll be a great 1st line center in this league. I just don't think he's the best player in this draft. Bite me.

P.S. I love how any opinions outside the norm are treated as "dumb, ridiculous, biased". I wanted Kakko before the draft lottery even happened. My post history can prove it. Maybe in 5, 10, 20 years I'll be proven wrong, but I don't think my opinion right now should be treated as "stupid."

 

[gwh]

I am binge watching the highlights.

Nobody else thinks this kid is both skinny and short? Elias Pettersson had no problem being skinny, but he is 4 inches taller.

 

[FinnishSniper]

I am binge watching the highlights.

Nobody else thinks this kid is both skinny and short? Elias Pettersson had no problem being skinny, but he is 4 inches taller.

He is. I think just by looking at him 5'9" and 150 pounds is close to the truth. He needs to gain like 15 pounds of muscle in the summer or he is going to be at risk of getting some injuries next year. I think the focus is going to be on his shot and physicality for the summer. He seems physically like a 15 year old, so I think getting mass will be fairly easy

 

[FinnishSniper]

I still think he'll be a great 1st line center in this league. I just don't think he's the best player in this draft. Bite me.

P.S. I love how any opinions outside the norm are treated as "dumb, ridiculous, biased". I wanted Kakko before the draft lottery even happened. My post history can prove it. Maybe in 5, 10, 20 years I'll be proven wrong, but I don't think my opinion right now should be treated as "stupid."

All these people calling the people stupid, that think Kakko is better at the moment are so ignorant. I'm just waiting for the WC where I think it will be proven