Jack Hughes believes he will be a 100-point player
Jack Hughes has become one of the most electrifying players in the National Hockey League, and he’s only 22-years-old. Being a young player in a professional sport can be intimidating when it comes to success, but not for Hughes.
After falling one point shy of the first 100-point season in New Jersey Devils history, Hughes is hungry for more and is ready for this season.
Drafted No. 1 overall in the 2019 NHL draft, Hughes had a question mark around his name when coming into the NHL. Was he too small? Could he shape his game into the hard-hitting pros?
All of these questions were asked when the Devils drafted him–even going as far as questioning him as the first overall pick.
Kaapo Kakko, a Finland native, was the other in the spotlight in Hughes’ draft class; Devils and Rangers fans went into a craze of who should be selected No. 1 overall.
Safe to say, in retrospect, Hughes has been the clear-cut choice in who should’ve been selected with that top selection. Amassing just over 200 points in his young four-year career, Hughes believes in himself and his competitive nature when regarding breaking a 100-point season.
“I’m a competitive person, so definitely a little like, ‘Damn,’ you know?” Hughes said during a recent appearance on the “32 Thoughts” podcast. “I wanted that because I’m competitive.
“You’re so close, and you dream of being a star and you want to be a 100-point guy. … I believe I will be. I just gotta stay on the path I’m on and keep my nose to the grind. I should get there.”
The Orlando, Fla., native has been itching to break out, and if it wasn’t for injuries during a very successful Devils season, there is no question what point mark Hughes could’ve reached.
“In previous years … you’re walking into camp (thinking), ‘What’s going to happen this year? What pick are we going to get? Who are we dishing at the deadline?'” Hughes said. “Even last year, we were like, ‘Alright, it’s time to take a step. We’re no longer the young team that can use that as an excuse every year.’
“At what point is it like, ‘Maybe Hughes, Hischier, (Jesper Bratt)–maybe they aren’t the guys if they can’t win any hockey games, it doesn’t matter how young they are.’ Last year was crazy because we just exploded, and no one saw it coming.”
Hughes finished his 2022-23 campaign with 43 goals and 56 assists. Thanks to Hughes’ heroics, the Devils reached the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
Hughes and the rest of the New Jersey Devils will take on the Detroit Red Wings at home on October 12th to start off the new season.
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