Will Hughes be the first 1st Overall to not stick/play in the NHL his first year since Johnson?

[Trap Jesus]

Devils can play him in the AHL if necessary.

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[wetcoast]

I think he will play in the AHL at some point this season, or maybe just a trip to the world juniors but he doesn't look ready yet.

 

[Mickey Marner]

I doubt we'll ever see a 1st overall not play their D1 season in the NHL ever again, even if that's what's best for them.

 

[tucker3434]

I think he could use a few weeks, maybe a month just learning what he can and can’t do as a 1C playing against men in the AHL. Get his scoring going down there and hope he comes up later with some confidence. Don’t think it’ll happen though, so voted no.

 

[bobholly39]

I doubt we'll ever see a 1st overall not play their D1 season in the NHL ever again, even if that's what's best for them.

Disagree completely. I understand why you're saying it though. So many of these prospects the past few years have had so much hype to them (McDavid, Matthews, Dahlin) that not starting in the NHL almost becomes too big a story/drama that negatively affects the player. But I think it's just because we happened to have had such strong #1 overalls recently. It isn't always like that. We'll see it happen again.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

Who the hell is New Jersey going to replace him with? He's not going anywhere.

 

[Trap Jesus]

Disagree completely. I understand why you're saying it though. So many of these prospects the past few years have had so much hype to them (McDavid, Matthews, Dahlin) that not starting in the NHL almost becomes too big a story/drama that negatively affects the player. But I think it's just because we happened to have had such strong #1 overalls recently. It isn't always like that. We'll see it happen again.

It's super rare for a 1st overall to not play though (Ovechkin doesn't count due to the lockout year). Johnson went to College the year after he was drafted, Fleury was sent down halfway through his first year in Pittsburgh, and DiPietro was called up halfway through his first year (groin injury suffered in training camp). The last forward to not play in the NHL his first year was Lindros, and for very different reasons of course. Even some of the smaller guys you wouldn't expect to play did and had some measure of success (RNH and Kane).

I think there's just a level of expectation there that 1st overall picks should be playing in the NHL the first year.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Oilers play the Devils tonight so I get a good look at him

has he been that poor?

 

[Voight]

It's super rare for a 1st overall to not play though (Ovechkin doesn't count due to the lockout year). Johnson went to College the year after he was drafted, Fleury was sent down halfway through his first year in Pittsburgh, and DiPietro was called up halfway through his first year (groin injury suffered in training camp). The last forward to not play in the NHL his first year was Lindros, and for very different reasons of course. Even some of the smaller guys you wouldn't expect to play did and had some measure of success (RNH and Kane).

I think there's just a level of expectation there that 1st overall picks should be playing in the NHL the first year.

RNH should have been sent back to juniors.

Kane however played an extra year because of his late birthday so he was somewhat ready. Plus he dominated the OHL so going back would have been pointless.

As for the OP - It seems that he isn't fully ready but due to fan pressure I doubt they will send him down. Might just have a meh rookie year with like 40 or 50 points.

 

[7even]

RNH should have been sent back to juniors.

Kane however played an extra year because of his late birthday so he was somewhat ready. Plus he dominated the OHL so going back would have been pointless.

As for the OP - It seems that he isn't fully ready but due to fan pressure I doubt they will send him down. Might just have a meh rookie year with like 40 or 50 points.

RNH had a monstrous rookie season. He had a lot of development time torpedoed with injuries.

 

[ijuka]

No, but it will be a mistake.

 

[ijuka]

RNH should have been sent back to juniors.

Kane however played an extra year because of his late birthday so he was somewhat ready. Plus he dominated the OHL so going back would have been pointless.

As for the OP - It seems that he isn't fully ready but due to fan pressure I doubt they will send him down. Might just have a meh rookie year with like 40 or 50 points.

40 or 50 points would not be a meh rookie year, the heck?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Oilers play the Devils tonight so I get a good look at him

has he been that poor?

He's been just fine lol. The entire team has been awful, but he was one of our best players last night. Could have easily had a few points. His line was the best line all night.

 

[KidLine93]

RNH should have been sent back to juniors.

Kane however played an extra year because of his late birthday so he was somewhat ready. Plus he dominated the OHL so going back would have been pointless.

As for the OP - It seems that he isn't fully ready but due to fan pressure I doubt they will send him down. Might just have a meh rookie year with like 40 or 50 points.

52 points in 62 games?

He nearly won the calder lmao

 

[Fugazy]

No, he's not going anywhere.

 

[John Eichel da GOAT]

Are the Devils becoming the new Oilers poorly developing 1OA's?

 

[Pi]

52 points in 62 games?

He nearly won the calder lmao

Yeah...people here would have sent MacKinnon down too I guess?

MacKinnon and RNH had the exact same first ~5 seasons before MacKinnon became a superstar.

 

[CapnZin]

Just speaking from the PHI NJD game I watched, Hughes does look out of place, but he definitely had his moments where you could tell that his speed and smarts are his best attributes and they’ll carry him.

From my POV, he looks like he’s trying too hard... like he HAS to be that difference-maker. He tried so many fancy plays that ended up on our sticks and I’m pretty sure we scored off one of his bad turnovers.

It’s been 3 games. Let him get acclimated and judge after this year.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

He's been just fine lol. The entire team has been awful, but he was one of our best players last night. Could have easily had a few points. His line was the best line all night.

What about the other two games? So far through 3 games he doesn't have a point, outscored 3-0 at 5v5, and has the 2nd worst possession numbers on the team (33 cf%) in a sheltered role.

Saying he's still very young and 3 games is too early to draw conclusions is pretty reasonable. Saying he's been fine is a reach

 

[Puckclektr]

Are the Devils becoming the new Oilers poorly developing 1OA's?

Nick is fine and Hughes played three games

 

[Voight]

40 or 50 points would not be a meh rookie year, the heck?

It would be the worst rookie year by a No. 1 pick in I don't know how long (forward-wise, obviously).

52 points in 62 games?

He nearly won the calder lmao

Size-wise he was nowhere near ready. Needed another junior season to bulk up.

 

[KidLine93]

It would be the worst rookie year by a No. 1 pick in I don't know how long (forward-wise, obviously).



Size-wise he was nowhere near ready. Needed another junior season to bulk up.

Why is gaudreau playing still. Needs to bulk up. Since clearly it’s based on size not production

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

No way. Even if they should the Devils won't send him down. Not saying they should. But they won't.

 

[Breakers]

The Devils CEO whoever it is would strongly be against it.
he's too highly marketed around the organizaiton.
This image is on a bunch of marketing material "we are the ones" with these 4 guys

 

[belair]

Who the hell is New Jersey going to replace him with? He's not going anywhere.

Insert depth forward. Why does he need to be replaced? What are the expectations of him?