Jack Hughes has continued with his great form to start the 2023/2024 season and already has collected 18 points (5 goals, 13 assists) in 8 games and is by far the best points getters to start the season. Just to put this into perspective second in points in NHL is Dylan Larkin with 15 points in 9 games and in third, we have Hughes linemate Jesper Bratt with 14 points (6 goals, 8 assists).

Last year was a big step for Jack as he missed only 4 games of the regular season and for a player who missed over 20 games in each of his first three seasons, the 2022/2023 season showed everyone that he will likely be a top 10 forward this season. He also had a great 1st year in playoffs as he scored 6 goals and collected 11 points in 12 playoff games. But with all that only a few people expected him to put numbers like this so far this season as he has put himself early in the season as a player that could be in the conversation for an MVP award at the end of the season. 

The Devils have scored 33 goals over 8 games and with 18 points Hughes has been directly involved in over 50% of goals. That stat won’t likely continue as his numbers should drop but even with those numbers being between 25% and 30% with a rate that the Devils score goals Hughes should easily have his first 100+ points season (99 points in 2022/2023 season). The Devils have the best PowerPlay in the league by far this season with 42.2% and look like an easy top 5 PowerPlay unit this season and this is a big part of Jack and his great play this season as he already has 10 PowerPlay points.

The Devils play high-scoring games every night as 7 or more goals were scored in all 8 games this season. Their goaltending doesn’t look brilliant and is the biggest concern for the team and with goalies allowing many goals each night and games being up and down most nights Hughes will flourish and could rival McDavid in points as both teams play similar games going mostly through their best players.

As we all view Connor McDavid as a player who is in a league of his own and that is completely fair as he has been the best regular-season performer over the last few years I would be comfortable putting Hughes right in a grade behind McDavid with players like Draisaitl, Matthews, MacKinnon, Pastrnak and Kucherov. 

He has great potential and could likely be in a conversation with McDavid very soon.