The Devils have not had their 2019 first-overall-pick, Jack Hughes for 17 games but lo and behold the team's budding superstar is returning tonight after signing an eight-year extension that will keep him in New Jersey until 2029.
After missing the last 17 games with a dislocated shoulder, the New Jersey Devils' 'Jersey' Jack Hughes is making his return tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey against the San Jose Sharks.
The first-overall-pick in the 2019 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft dislocated his shoulder on Oct. 19, and many expected him to miss a substantial chunk of the season, but missing almost one-fourth of the season still leaves 'Jersey Jack' with plenty of time to make up for lost time.
At a press conference with reporters, Hughes humbly described what he believes his role will be when he plays in his third game of the regular season.
I'm not coming in trying to change the world, I think everyone knows my role. I just [have] to come in and do my job and we've been playing great so maybe just give us a boost, that's all I really am, just another piece to the puzzle. For me to come back, I know the boys are really excited about it and so am I. - Jack Hughes
The Devils have posted a 9-6-4 record this season and sit in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division. The Metro is the most competitive division in the NHL. One reason why is the Devils are over .500 and only have seventh place to show for their positive record. Furthermore, the mere fact the second-youngest team (26.1 years) has managed to survive in a division full of perennial playoff contenders like Sidney Crosby and the Penguins and Ovechkin and the Caps is a good sign for fans of Jersey's team.
Off-season signing Andreas Johnsson, middling forward Jesper Bratt, and 2020 first-round pick Dawson Mercer are leading the team in scoring this season, while, on the other hand, the team's longest-tenured player Miles Wood will be out "indefinitely" because he is recovering from hip surgery.
In Wood's absence, players like Dougie Hamilton and Pavel Zacha have led the way. Hamilton finished fourth in Norris Trophy voting last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, has scored 12 points in 19 games this season and that is good for fifth on the team. 'Dougie' had a season-high ten shots-on-goal during the Devils 5-2 victory on Nov. 28 over the Philadelphia Flyers.
At a press conference before the Devils game against the Sharks, general manager Tom Fitzgerald was asked how different it was signing a player long-term based on their projected productivity rather than cold, hard results.
When you look at what his expected numbers are and, we’re an analytic team, we believe that where there’s smoke, there’s fire and with Jack he’s just heating up right now. We felt it was right for us. When you look at where the player’s at, I think it’s a win-win for both the player and the team.
The Devils parted way with general manager, Ray Shero who built the 2009 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, during the 2019-20 NHL season, after Shero signed 2017 first-overall-pick, Nico Hischier to a seven-year deal for $50.75 million even though the 21-year-old was going to be a restricted free agent that offseason. This means the Devils would have been able to keep Hischier by matching any offer sheet he received from another team.
The assistant GM, Tom Fitzgerald was promoted to fill the gap left by a former Cup-winning GM, which he has done with aplomb. Fitzy hired Lindy Ruff as the 19th full-time head coach in franchise history during the 2020 offseason-- a move that looks good as of now.
Developing a Core of Forwards
Overall, the measured approach of Ruff has been able to develop younger players, such as Jesper Bratt and the 18th-overall pick in the 2020 draft, Dawson Mercer who are second and third atop the Devils scoring chart. Mercer looks like a solid, two-way center as evidenced by his 14 points and plus-12 rating through just 20 games.
Miles Wood and Pavel Zacha are the team's longest-tenured players who have been at the Rock since 2016. Zacha has never been a great offensive player, but last season, the Czech led the Devils in points over the course of a 56-game regular season. The 28-year-old now in his sixth season with the club discussed the progress that 23-year-old right winger, Jesper Bratt has made thus far.
“We have a lot of energy, we are a young team.”
Hear from Pavel Zacha after today’s practice. pic.twitter.com/v4MrnOZZkR
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) December 1, 2021
By signing its two most recent top draft-picks to long-term contracts, the Devils are laying down a foundation for future success. Nitro Nico and Jersey Jack are good players, but they are far, far away from fulfilling their potentials. Fitzgerald explained what this contract means for Hughes.
He's a highly competitive individual and that’s one thing that will separate him. He’s not afraid to go into traffic and that’s what makes him special. I don’t see this pushing him towards not going into those areas, [because] I think this was a freak-accident. He’s been hit before I think he’s healthy and he’ll jump right back into it tonight.
General Manager Fitzgerald described how the culture surrounding the Devils team, which has recently been one of losing since 2013, is starting to change and why high-priced free agents, like Hamilton, who signed a seven-year deal before the season, have come to New Jersey.
The goal is to create an environment that players want to come and play in. [We can do this] by drafting top talent, developing top talent and keeping top talent. It's our job to really help develop the culture and mindset of the young players that come into our organization starting with development camps and teach players what being a New Jersey Devil is all about, what the expectations and standards are and then it’s about the on-ice product. We’ve got to start winning some games, we want to learn how to win and continue to grow as an organization.
The Metropolitan Division is competitive and that has been reflected by the number of free agents who have signed long-term deals with teams in the Metropolitan division.
In 2019, the Devils acquired P.K. Subban in a trade with the Nashville Predators and the 32-year-old earns nine million per year. In 2020, the Devils signed defenseman Ryan Murray on a two-year, $9.2 million-deal. Meanwhile in 2019, the New York Rangers reeled in two of the biggest free agents available in Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba on seven-year-deals. Then this season, the Devils' arch-rivals extended their edition of Jack Hughes, Mika Zibanejad with an eight-year deal as well.
The Rangers have laid the foundation for their franchise and now it's time for New Jersey to start organizing a core of both two-way forwards and dynamic scorers who can bring them success going forward. 2020 First-rounder Alexander Holtz managed two assists in six games but does not seem to be sticking at the NHL-level right now.
In Hughes, Devils Make Commitment to a Youthful Veteran
Each offseason, the team has signed at least one veteran who can impact their team immediately. Today, the Devils made a commitment to a player who will be the cornerstone of a franchise that is looking to build a winning tradition in New Jersey. If the team's two former first-round picks can start producing and make their teammates better, it should create an environment that both offensive and two-way forwards will want to be a part of, which will help 'Jersey's Team' have success in a Metro division that will not become less competitive, anytime soon.
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