Jack Hughes Looks to Capitalize on Long Offseason, Get Stronger

NEWARK, NJ – By and large, it was a disappointing season for the New Jersey Devils and first overall pick Jack Hughes, who was expected to provide an offensive spark as a centerpiece to a team that had missed the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons.

Instead, the Devils faltered out of the gate and started the season winless in the first six games. While Hughes displayed flashes of elite athleticism and talent, he was relatively ineffective, scoring only seven goals with 14 assists. His efficiency on the ice also diminished down the stretch, scoring only one goal in his final 25 games of the season.

However, the 19-year-old’s confidence has not diminished as he reflected on his rookie season.

“If you asked me to do it all over again, I would have gone through the same things 100 times again,” Hughes said in a media conference call. “Playing in the NHL as an 18-year-old is very special and in 10 years from now I’ll look back and see how important this year was for me.”

Now, back home in Michigan with his brothers and family, Hughes has returned to training for the upcoming season – whenever that begins as the coronavirus pandemic continues to bring chaos to NHL scheduling. At the very earliest that figures to be a minimum of seven months after the Devils last game in March.

“I’ll never get a period like this again,” Hughes suggested. “Getting bigger and stronger (is one of them).”

When asked if there is one aspect of his training Hughes would focus on improving from last season, he said there were several areas of his game that he will be focusing on. More specifically, he highlighted a strength training regimen to add muscle to his 168-pound frame.

Later this summer, Hughes expects to skate at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, MI, but is unsure when he will return to New Jersey for workouts. However, he is looking forward to that and is eager to return for another season.

The upcoming season, he hopes to see more stability within the organization.

In his rookie year, he saw the departure of a head coach, general manager, team captain, and a Hart Trophy winner two seasons ago.

“It was unusual year and I think you understand that it’s a business when that stuff happens,” Hughes admitted. “Hopefully I’ll never go through that again because that’s a lot of changes in the locker room throughout the year.”

There were some highlights in the season that stood out to Hughes.

“I think the home opener was probably my favorite moment,” Hughes explained. “In terms of how exciting the fans were and how much buzz there was in the building.”

“Eventually I want the Devils to be a contender and a very good team and hopefully the crowds are like that every night,” he added. “That was exciting for what could happen in the future.”

Hughes expects to be a centerpiece on a team that will be retooling with young prospects this offseason as the Devils will have three first round picks this year. The team will undoubtedly rely on Hughes to rebound from a disappointing rookie season and to take that next step as an NHL player.

On paper, the Devils are fielding a team to contend for a Stanley Cup in the near future, but it is about performing on the ice. The Devils still need to make decisions in their front office as it relates to their general manager and head coach, but stability in leadership will be key to their success.