It seems like yesterday, doesn't it? New Jersey Has A Deep Offense The moment Luke Hughes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/jack-luke-hughes-named-nhl-25-cover-athletes] jumped over the boards in the New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/new-jersey-devils-nj-devils-nashville-predators-nico-hischier-nhl-hat-trick]' third jersey for the first shift of his NHL career. The reality is that it has been 596 days since the youngest Hughes brother made his NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/]. Five minutes into the first period of that debut game, he blocked a shot by Sabres forward Kyle Okposo, and the young defenseman never looked back. "100 games is pretty special for me," Hughes said to NJD.TV [https://www.nhl.com/devils/video/l-hughes-pre-raw-11-27-24-6365255247112]. "I mean, it is awesome (and) I am excited." Over the first 99 games of his career, Hughes scored 10 goals and assisted on 43 others. He found himself named a finalist for the 2024 Calder Memorial Trophy, an award given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the NHL. To start the 2024-25 season, the young defenseman has four assists in 15 games. Offensively, Hughes may have cooled off from last season's pace, but he has been much stronger defensively playing with Brett Pesce [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-brett-pesce-carolina-hurricanes-free-agency-tom-fitzgerald] and is taking steps in his overall development. "Playing with someone like Pesce helps him," head coach Sheldon Keefe said to reporters [https://www.nhl.com/devils/video/keefe-pre-raw-11-27-24-6365255481112]. "Pesce is talking to him, and he puts out fires; that is what Pesce does. He kills plays, and all of that, but, Luke, on his own, has killed plays and has skated really well. [...] Luke, to me, has all the assets that are required for any elite defenseman to defend and be hard to play against and be in the way and kill plays. "We are well aware of what he can do on offense," Keefe continued. "We think the more that he can defend well, that the offensive stuff will be plentiful. He will be on the offensive side of the red line more frequently. I think we are seeing more of that here as the seasons come on." Hughes enters Wednesday's night game on a two-game point streak and has three assists over his last five games. Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-jesper-bratt-alexander-holtz-nico-hischier-andy-sward] EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/exclusive-q-a-with-msg-networks-host-analyst-rachel-herzog-new-jersey-devils] Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied] Seamus Casey Scores First NHL Goal In Devils Global Series Finale [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/seamus-casey-scores-first-nhl-goal-in-new-jersey-devils-global-series-finale]
