Why the New Jersey Devils hit the jackpot with Jack Hughes

VICTORIA , BC - JANUARY 2: Jack Hughes #6 of the United States skates during a quarter-final game versus the Czech Republic at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 2, 2019 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /

The New Jersey Devils on the NHL Lottery for the second time in three years on Tuesday night, giving them a likely superstar in Jack Hughes.

Since moving to New Jersey in 1982, the Devils had never held the top pick in the NHL Draft until 2017. Now, they’ve turned the trick again.

In both cases, New Jersey didn’t hold the best odds. In 2017, the Devils checked in sixth only to land the No. 1 overall pick, turning it into center Nico Hischier. On Tuesday, New Jersey jumped up from third to first. This time, the prize is American-born center Jack Hughes.

For hardcore NHL fans, the name is familiar. Hughes has been the presumed No. 1 pick of this draft for a few years now, and the prospect of him joining the likes of Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri and Hischier should have fans along the Jersey Turnpike giddy.

Hughes, 17, is the best American prospect to enter the draft since Auston Matthews, who was taken first-overall in the 2016 draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Much like Matthews, Hughes is an electrifying forward who can both score and make plays to benefit those around him. His multi-faceted game is bared out by his eye-popping statistics.

This year, Hughes racked up 48 points in 24 games during his time in the USHL. On the U.S. National U18 Team, the Orlando native went great guns with 86 points in 41 games, including 23 goals and 63 assists. Simply put, Hughes combined elite skating, vision and hands with an above-average shot, making him one of the best American prospects to ever enter the draft.

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As for the Devils, they suddenly have a bright future. The likely addition of Hughes means a dynamic top-six, especially if General Manager Ray Shero signs a few contributors with New Jersey’s $30 million of cap space this summer. Factor in a league-best 10 picks in the upcoming draft, including six in the first three rounds, and the Devils are loaded with ammunition to both stock their pipeline and acquire difference-makers for 2019 and beyond.

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