Ondrej Palat Compares Devils' Young Star to Nikita Kucherov
When Jack Hughes was drafted first-overall in 2019, he would soon become the first player in NHL history to jump directly from the USHL to the NHL. Although his first couple of seasons were rife with frustration -- both for lack of production and inability to stay healthy -- Hughes showed last season that he is the real deal, scoring 56 points in 49 games; a 94-point pace.
New Jersey Devils' forward Ondrej Palat, who signed a five-year, $30 million contract this summer, has fit right in beside Hughes so far this preseason. The two skated together on the Devils' top line in both games featuring the pair, and in those games Hughes and Palat combined for 4 points.
Palat recently said Hughes reminds him of one of the Czech's former teammates, Nikita Kucherov. Considering Kucherov has an Art Ross Trophy, a Hart Trophy, and a Ted Lindsay award in his trophy case, that is kind of a big deal.
"He has that thing that he can take the next step and have a really, really good season and lead this team.''
High praise for the 21 year old, currently entering his fourth NHL season. The start of Hughes' career is awfully similar to Kucherov's to boot.
In Hughes' first 166 games, he has 108 points (.65 points/game); in Kucherov's first 134 games, he scored 83 points (.62 points/game). Since his first couple of seasons, Kucherov has emerged as one of the most talented hockey players on earth.
Palat's assessment is sure to jazz up Devils' fans, who are desperate for their team's return to the glory days. If Jack Hughes can put together a full season, the sky is the limit.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 6 | 343 ANSWERS Ondrej Palat Compares Devils' Young Star to Nikita Kucherov Will Jack Hughes ever reach Kucherov's level? | ||
| Yes | 76 | 22.2 % |
| No | 267 | 77.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Patrick Maroon | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Lukas Reichel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Travis Konecny | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Noah Cates | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Sean Couturier | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Matvei Michkov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Bobby Brink | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Tyson Foerster | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Connor Murphy | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Rasmus Ristolainen | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Travis Sanheim | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Craig Smith | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nolan Allan | - | - | - | |
| Joey Anderson | - | - | - | |
| Emil Andrae | - | - | - | |
| Connor Bedard | - | - | - | |
| Tyler Bertuzzi | - | - | - | |
| T.J. Brodie | - | - | - | |
| Louis Crevier | - | - | - | |
| Jason Dickinson | - | - | - | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 20 | 17 | 3 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||