Devils' Jack Hughes Named NHL's First Star for October
Jack Hughes leads the league with 18 points and 13 assists.
Oct 12, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports - Devils' Jack Hughes Named NHL's First Star for OctoberNEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey Devils Jack Hughes has been named the NHL's First Star for October.
In eight games, Hughes scored five goals and 13 assists for 18 points. He earned five multi-point performances and leads the league in both points and assists.
Per the press release, he recorded the most points by a Devils player through his first eight appearances of a season – besting the previous high of 15 by Paul Gardner in 1977-78 (9-6—15 w/ CLR) – and became the first player on any team to collect at least 18 points within his first eight games of a campaign since Thomas Vanek in 2012-13 (8-11—19 w/ BUF).
The first-overall pick has 225 points in 252 career NHL games. Last season, he earned a franchise-record 99 points (43 goals, 56 assists) in 78 games played.
The question is quickly becoming: can Hughes elevate his game to even another level? According to general manager Tom Fitzgerlad, there is more to come from the center.
"He's 22 right now; we haven't even seen the best of Jack Hughes, to be quite honest, because everything else will come into play: maturity, understanding the league, he's coming, he's coming."
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson and Boston Bruins right winger David Pastrnak rounded out the NHL's Three Stars.