The New Jersey Devils are never truly in an offseason slumber, and this summer has proven no exception. From strategic player acquisitions to critical contract negotiations and navigating the lingering effects of a tough playoff run, the Garden State’s hockey heroes have been hard at work shaping their roster for the challenges ahead. While many pieces are falling into place, one of the most intriguing storylines revolves around young blueliner Luke Hughes and his potential to evolve into a top-tier defenseman.
Fresh Faces and Familiar Friends: Offseason Moves
The Devils have been busy bolstering their lineup. In a crucial move for stability in net, Jake Allen has re-signed with the team on a five-year deal, solidifying his role as a reliable number two goaltender. This commitment speaks volumes about the organization’s belief in its goaltending tandem.
Adding further depth, the Devils acquired Thomas Bordeleau in a trade and quickly inked him to a one-year, two-way contract. Other notable signings include Angus Crookshank, Calen Addison, and Dennis Cholowski, all brought in to provide valuable options across the roster.
On the departure front, forward Daniel Sprong has opted for a new adventure, signing with CSKA Moscow in the KHL. Meanwhile, the Devils initially faced a decision regarding Cody Glass, but ultimately extended a qualifying offer to retain his services.
Injuries, an unfortunate but inevitable part of the game, impacted the Devils’ defensive corps during the recent playoffs, with key players like Brenden Dillon, Johnathan Kovacevic, and Luke Hughes himself battling ailments. The team hopes for a healthier lineup as the new season approaches. Speculation also continues to swirl around veteran defenseman Dougie Hamilton, with trade discussions reportedly ongoing, and the tantalizing prospect of Russian blueliner Anton Silayev potentially joining the fold next year adding another layer of excitement for the future.
The Luke Hughes Question: Ready for the Top Pair?
As August beckons, all eyes in New Jersey are turning toward Luke Hughes and the highly anticipated discussions surrounding his contract extension. It’s widely accepted that Hughes is a cornerstone for the Devils’ future, but the immediate question on many minds is whether he is truly prepared to step into the role of a number one defenseman this coming season.
One creative financial strategy that could benefit both the team and Hughes in his upcoming extension involves using deferred money. This approach, which has been utilized by other teams to manage cap hits, allows for a more favorable average annual value (AAV) on long-term deals. While deferred money contracts are set to be phased out in the next collective bargaining agreement, getting a deal done now could provide valuable cap flexibility for the Devils in the immediate future.
The Numbers Game: Offense vs. Defense
Luke Hughes was drafted with the expectation of being an offensive dynamo, much like his brothers. While it took a little time for his offensive generation to truly ignite, underlying analytics suggest he’s rapidly progressing. When Hughes is on the ice, particularly starting in the offensive zone, the Devils consistently generate significantly more offense than average, a clear indicator of his impact on creating scoring chances. His superior skating speed allows the team to transition rapidly from defense to offense.
However, the path to becoming a true top-pair defenseman requires a robust two-way game, and this is where Hughes still has room for growth. While he excels at pushing play forward, his defensive zone performance, particularly in the immediate aftermath of defensive zone faceoffs, indicates areas for refinement. Preventing goals in those crucial initial seconds remains a key focus for his development.
Teammate Chemistry: The Unseen Impact
Hughes’s impact on his teammates has been largely positive, especially with the Devils’ most skilled forwards. He demonstrates strong offensive chemistry with players like his brother Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier, suggesting that the notion of the Hughes brothers being overly reliant on each other might be overstated. Perhaps most encouraging is his strong two-way impact when paired with defenseman Brett Pesce, indicating a promising partnership.
The potential pairing of Luke Hughes with Dougie Hamilton, often envisioned as an offensive juggernaut, gives many pause, given the established effectiveness of the Hughes-Pesce pairing. Furthermore, Hughes’s numbers suggest he still struggles when on the ice with less-talented teammates, sometimes leading to unfavorable goal differentials. This highlights the importance of strategic line combinations to maximize his strengths and minimize defensive vulnerabilities.
Refining the Shot: A Key to Unlocking Full Potential
To truly elevate his game, particularly when playing with a wider range of teammates, Hughes could benefit immensely from refining his shot. With his exceptional skating ability to create space, developing a more dangerous shot from the blueline would add another potent weapon to his arsenal. While he already generates a high quantity of shots at higher velocities, improving shot placement is crucial. Too many of his shots are currently being blocked, and while he attempts to shoot high, a better understanding of angles and traffic could lead to more rebounds and direct scoring opportunities.
Ultimately, the goal for Luke Hughes is to become a point-per-game defenseman – a rare feat, but one within his reach given his unique blend of skating and puck-handling skills. His ability to transition from the point to the net with speed and smoothness is exceptional. After battling an injury last season that required offseason surgery, his recovery appears to be on track. With a healthy return and continued development in his defensive play and shot mechanics, the future is incredibly bright for Luke Hughes and the New Jersey Devils. For all the latest on the team’s progress and player insights, be sure to visit our New Jersey Devils section.
