Prospect Info: Luke Hughes (#4 OA -2021) - part II

[Unknown Caller]

The funny thing is that Luke can usually be pretty lax on in-zone coverage when the other team has sustained pressure, but you could tell that he really locked in defensively in overtime, and he was great in his own end. Would love to see him play with that urgency defensively on a regular basis.

 

[Hisch13r]

So, Luke Hughes 2021-2022:

41 Games
17 Goals
22 Assists
39 Points
0.95 PPG

All that, as a freshman and starting the season as one of the youngest players in the league. Future is bright people.

I'm expecting a considerable dip in goals next year. Hopefully that's offset by an increase in assists.

 

[Devs3cups]

I'm expecting a considerable dip in goals next year. Hopefully that's offset by an increase in assists.

I wouldn't be surprised with a drop in points next season. I feel he'll be taking a little more defensive role as the #1 guy. We shall see.

 

[Unknown Caller]

So, Luke Hughes 2021-2022:

41 Games
17 Goals
22 Assists
39 Points
0.95 PPG

All that, as a freshman and starting the season as one of the youngest players in the league. Future is bright people.

He's phenomenal offensively and his pure ability is off the charts as we knew. The best offensive/physical package in a defensive prospect since Niedermayer, and it isn't even close.

He needs to lock in defensively and be stronger in his own end (rush coverage is fine, in-zone coverage needs to be refined). Another year in Michigan will be huge for his development and hopefully he comes in ready to go in a year. He shouldn't be rushed though, because he's not ready defensively.

 

[Hisch13r]

I wouldn't be surprised with a drop in points next season. I feel he'll be taking a little more defensive role as the #1 guy. We shall see.

He'll also be getting more ice time, he'll be on PP1, and his quality of teammate should rise. I'd be disappointed with a production drop unless he turns into a defensive stud which I doubt happens.

 

[Eggtimer]

As shitty as this may sound , It’s almost ok they lost . Makes Luke realize what it takes to win and that he has work to do still and comes back hungry next season . If they won it all , maybe he doesn’t work as hard in the off-season / have the same hunger next year ?
I don’t know . Im trying to put a positive spin on it from a perspective that all I want is Hughes to become the best he can for the Devils

 

[Unknown Caller]

I wouldn't be surprised with a drop in points next season. I feel he'll be taking a little more defensive role as the #1 guy. We shall see.

He cheats an incredible amount offensively. If he learns to throttle it a little bit and be more responsible defensively, the goals and points will a drop a little. The trade off is fine as long as his defense takes the next step.

 

[Devs3cups]

As shitty as this may sound , It’s almost ok they lost . Makes Luke realize what it takes to win and that he has work to do still and comes back hungry next season . If they won it all , maybe he doesn’t work as hard in the off-season / have the same hunger next year ?
I don’t know . Im trying to put a positive spin on it from a perspective that all I want is Hughes to become the best he can for the Devils

I think you're overthinking this. Kid is like the youngest player in the league and put up an outstanding freshman season, where he led the league in points for D-men. There's your positive haha.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Final stats for Luke Hughes:

Luke Hughes, D, Fr

41

17

22

39

0.95

97 SOG

17.5 SH%

10 PIM

1 GWG

3 PPG

0 SHG

+26

 

[Buck Dancer]

Luke can put up 10 pts next year and I wouldn’t care, as long as he improves defensively. The entire world knows what he can do with the puck, it’s the other side of the game I want to work on.

He’s a definite stud and the fact that he’s a week away from being draft eligible for the 2022 draft is flat out crazy!

 

[Devs3cups]

He'll also be getting more ice time, he'll be on PP1, and his quality of teammate should rise. I'd be disappointed with a production drop unless he turns into a defensive stud which I doubt happens.

It wouldn't concern me too much. We already know kid has the upside and the skill. If he takes on a more defensive role, which is entirely possible, it might drop a little. Anyways, I wouldn't bet on a drop in production, but PPG is a lot to ask for a D-man. We'll see I guess.

 

[Eggtimer]

I think you're overthinking this. Kid is like the youngest player in the league and put up an outstanding freshman season, where he led the league in points for D-men. There's your positive haha.

I’m not saying there isn’t any positives in Lukes game. I am very impressed and he was amazing. I was looking at positives to take away from them losing in the frozen four

 

[Devs3cups]

I’m not saying there isn’t any positives in Lukes game. I am very impressed and he was amazing. I was looking at positives from them losing in the frozen four

Got it, that's harder to do lol.

 

[Eggtimer]

I hope Michigan has the coaching staff amd systems in place to be able to develop his defensive side of his game.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

ugh, he did that again? He needs to stop that. He does it a lot and most times it doesn't work. Once of his turnovers I trashed hard awhile ago was exactly this move.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Hughes is in front of the net covering 2 guys.

ugh...this looks exactly like the devils. 2 guys saying "i got it, no you got it" and then no one gets it. Then you got 1 dman covering 2 guys and 1 guy being completely useless. Who is #51?

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

In my mind, that goal is on Lambert (23). Hughes is covering his man, 51 is covering the pass. Lambert doesn't take the trailer, just stands around.

Is 51 a d-man? I think he could've had way better awareness as well. he was literally right there. Goal is definitely on #23 though. Just literally puck watching.

 

[Brodeur]

I wouldn't be surprised with a drop in points next season. I feel he'll be taking a little more defensive role as the #1 guy. We shall see.

Luke shot 18% this year which would be difficult to replicate. I’d anticipate the goal totals coming down a bit and maybe some residual assist drop if there’s a mass exodus to the pros. Same thing happened to Brock Boeser after he stayed for his sophomore season and he turned out fine.

 

[Sheros expletives]

Is it time to argue about a nickname? I'm going with Big y.