How Luke Hughes can push his already great offence to the next level
The NCAA is supposed to be a hard league to score in, especially if you're a defenceman. Even talented blueliners usually need a couple of seasons to ramp up their offensive play.
But not Luke Hughes. The New Jersey Devils' 2021 fourth overall pick has been producing like a veteran for an already loaded Michigan team. He's second on the team in points for defencemen, with 18 in 20 games, just behind first overall pick Owen Power.
Placed into context, however, Hughes's numbers are arguably more impressive, considering he is 10 months younger and a freshman. As a comparison, in his first season, Power managed *only* 16 points in 26 games, a production Hughes surpassed in early December.
Yet, despite the stat sheet, it still feels like Highes has even more to give.