NHL.com ranked their top forwards under 25 entering this season, and it came as no surprise that Devils’ Jack Hughes landed second on the list.
Hughes is entering his seventh year with the Devils after being selected first overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
He’s been a staple for New Jersey both on and off the ice. At just 24 years old, Hughes has scored at least 26 goals in each of the past four seasons, though injuries have kept him from showcasing his full potential.
Hughes also happens to have one of the best, if not the best, contracts in the NHL. He’s entering year four of an eight-year, $64 million deal, with an average annual value of $8 million.
Jack Hughes Ranked No. 1 NHL Contract by The AthleticDom Luszczyszyn, NHL analyst for The Athletic (a New York Times publication), recently ranked the best contracts across the NHL. From Leon Draisaitl’s eight-year, $14 million AAV deal (ranked 6th) to Brandon Hagel’s seven-year, $6.5 million AAV contract (ranked 2nd), some of the league’s biggest stars made the list.
Given his performance, skill, and the overall value he brings to the team, this deal is a steal for New Jersey.
The only player ranked ahead of Hughes? Tim Stützle of the Ottawa Senators. Stützle is a year younger, but his impact in Ottawa mirrors what Hughes has done in New Jersey.
Stützle helped lead the Senators to their first Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance since 2017 and paced the team with 79 points in 82 games last season. He’s hit the 70-point mark in each of the last three seasons, which secured him the No. 1 spot in the rankings.
Right behind him is New Jersey’s very own.
Hughes has dealt with two major injuries in his career, the first in 2021 and again last season, when a shoulder injury required season-ending surgery.
Still, Hughes remains a centerpiece of the Devils’ lineup.
In 368 NHL games, he has tallied 141 goals and 210 assists. Before last season’s injury, he posted 70 points in just 62 games.
His impact on the Devils is immeasurable. He’s grown into the face of the franchise.
It’s no surprise that the slick Devils forward is ranked second on the list of best forwards under 25. Injured or not, he’s proven just how valuable he is.
In 2022-23, when fully healthy, Hughes recorded 99 points in 78 games. He’s one of only 11 NHL players to average at least 1.10 points per game over the last four seasons, despite the injuries.
The Devils made the right choice with their 2019 first-overall pick. And if Hughes can stay healthy, don’t be surprised if he claims the top spot soon.
Photo Credit: © Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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