{"id":134703,"date":"2023-01-15T12:21:18","date_gmt":"2023-01-15T17:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=134703"},"modified":"2023-01-15T12:21:18","modified_gmt":"2023-01-15T17:21:18","slug":"jack-hughes-expectations-being-met-in-fourth-nhl-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/01\/15\/jack-hughes-expectations-being-met-in-fourth-nhl-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Jack Hughes Expectations Being Met in Fourth NHL Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s always nice when a player lives up to the hype. Jack Hughes<\/a> might have taken a little bit longer to get there, but the 21-year-old has proven himself a bonafide superstar in recent weeks. Despite struggling in the first three years of his career, Hughes has been spectacular in his fourth campaign for the New Jersey Devils. Lets’ take a look at how the Jack Hughes expectations are being met.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jack Hughes Living Up to Expectations<\/h2>\n

When New Jersey selected Hughes first overall <\/a>in the 2019 NHL Draft, they were hoping he would be a key piece in a rebuild they were desperate to begin. For a team that struggled with offensive inspiration, Hughes filled a niche that the Devils needed. He was scouted as a player with incredible skating ability and the hands to match<\/a>, with NHL Central Scouting comparing him to dominant players like Jack Eichel<\/a> and Connor McDavid<\/a>. His hockey IQ was another strength noted, with NHL Central<\/a> calling him \u201cunafraid to challenge that opening that others may not be able to get through because he sees beyond with the opportunities there\u201d. The Devils wanted a franchise player, someone to build the team around. Hughes was, seemingly, the guy to do it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rookie Struggles<\/h3>\n

However, Hughes did not immediately settle into his game at the NHL level. In his rookie season, Hughes had only seven goals and 21 points<\/a>, as well as a team-lowest minus-26 plus-minus. He didn\u2019t record a point in his first seven games and did not look to be the talent that everyone was expecting. Hughes struggled with the pace and size of the game in the big leagues. He also could not contribute in the way he wanted, causing many to wonder if the expectations surrounding him were unwarranted. His struggles in the league continued, with only eleven goals<\/a> in his sophomore season, and an MCL injury<\/a> cutting a promising 2021-22 season short.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>