On Luke Hughes' production and the Devils' success since being made whole

Luke Hughes' underlying process suggests more offense should come sooner than later. Plus, the Devils sure look the part of contenders.

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A few notes as the New Jersey Devils work through somewhat of a bye week:

The offense is coming 📈

Luke Hughes has played terrific hockey this season but the production hasn’t really been there; at least not to the level hoped coming off a 47-point rookie campaign.

Hughes has eight points and is yet to score through 19 games. While not quarterbacking the top power play hurts his cause, it’s reasonable to want a little more from Luke.

The good news: all signs suggest Hughes should be producing more and the fact he isn’t stems from luck – or lack thereof – more so than anything he’s doing wrong.

The Devils are generating a ton of opportunities with Hughes on the ice. A ton. In fact, they have piled up more scoring chances, and expected goals, with Luke on the ice at 5v5 than any other player on the roster.

The Devils have created 160 chances and 16.63 expected goals during Hughes’ 5v5 minutes alone. That has amounted to only eight goals, less than half of what was deserved over that span.

Obviously, it’s difficult to hit the scoresheet and pick up points on goals that don’t exist. Thus, Hughes’ outputs are what they are.

What matters most is that Hughes is doing the right things to help create goals. Over time, they will come.

Based on Hughes’ terrific underlying metrics, and the dynamic talent that he is, another 40+ point campaign could be in the cards even without many reps on PP1. He’s playing that well.

For now, Tom Fitzgerald can be thankful that a) Hughes looks great and; b) his counting numbers don’t.

Perhaps that’ll make his life a tad easier when it comes time to lock Hughes up on a long-term extension.

Make no mistake, though. Hughes will not be cheap – nor should he be.

The Devils are a wagon 😈