In a historic move for the Hughes family, Luke Hughes, the 19-year-old ice hockey defenseman, signed a three-year entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils on April 8, 2023, joining his older brother Jack Hughes, the former first-overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. The young defenseman has already joined the team and is expected to play in the upcoming playoff series against the New York Rangers.
The third Hughes brother, 23-year-old Quinn Hughes, has already established himself as a defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks.
Who is Luke Hughes
Luke Hughes is a left-handed shooter, standing at an impressive 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 184 pounds. Before joining the Devils, he played for the University of Michigan from 2021 to 2023. During the 2021-2022 season, Hughes contributed significantly to his team, recording an impressive 17 goals and 19 assists, resulting in 36 points over 37 games. His performance shattered university records, surpassing the highest freshman ice hockey defenseman scoring record of 13 goals set by Dean Turner in the 1975-1976 season, with Luke scoring 17 goals. Moreover, his 36 points surpassed Jack Johnson’s record of 32 points, cementing his place in the annals of university hockey history.
Hughes received numerous accolades throughout his second season with the University of Michigan, including being named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year. He was also recognized as a member of the All-Big Ten Freshman Team for 2022 and the Big Ten All-Tournament Team for both seasons. Hughes’s outstanding performance caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection as the fourth overall pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Devils Ranger Series Prediction
The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils are set to reignite their rivalry in the first-round playoff series, starting at the Prudential Center. Arizona betting sites by Betstation currently have the Rangers a slight -120 favorite over the Devils +140, but this series might as well be a pick’em.
This matchup holds significance as both teams have not been legitimate postseason contenders for a while, with their last playoff meeting occurring 11 years ago. The Rangers are looking to build on their run to the conference finals last season and avenge their loss to the Devils in 2012.
On the other hand, the Devils aim to step out of the shadow cast by Manhattan and establish their superiority in the tri-state area. If the Islanders upset the Hurricanes, the winner of the Rangers-Devils series will move on to face the Islanders in the next round. Let’s take a look at how the teams compare:
Goaltending: The Rangers have the advantage in goaltending with Igor Shesterkin and a strong backup option in Jaroslav Halak. While the Devils improved their goaltending situation by acquiring Vitek Vanecek, Shesterkin’s performance has been exceptional.
Defense: Neither team is known for their defensive capabilities, but the Rangers have an edge based on overall production and a solid defensive corps, including Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren.
Forwards: Both teams boast strong forward groups, with the Devils having the ability to go toe-to-toe with the Rangers. The top six lines of both teams are loaded with talent, and the bottom six could be a deciding factor in the series.
Special Teams: The Rangers have potent power-play units, although there is room for improvement. The Devils have been consistent on the power play, led by Jack Hughes, but the Rangers hold the edge in this category.
Coaching: Lindy Ruff will make his first playoff appearance as head coach of the Devils, while Gerard Gallant has achieved impressive results with the Rangers in his first two campaigns. Gallant’s success gives the Rangers an advantage in coaching.
Prediction: With a stacked roster and the motivation to address unfinished business from last season, the Rangers are favored to win the series in six games.
