Despite a challenging 2023-24 season following their successful 2022-23 campaign, the New Jersey Devils are anticipated to rebound strongly in 2024-25, largely due to the influence of their standout forward, Jack Hughes.
According to recent odds for the upcoming season, Hughes is positioned as one of the top contenders for the Hart Trophy, alongside elite players like Connor McDavid (+180) and Nathan MacKinnon (+500). Hughes, along with Auston Matthews, shares the third-best odds at +1000 to win the award, which recognizes the NHL’s most valuable player.
Hughes showcased his potential early in the 2023-24 season, accumulating 15 goals and 45 points in just 32 games before injuries interrupted his momentum. Despite missing significant playing time from January through April due to various injuries, including shoulder surgery in April, Hughes is expected to make a full recovery in time for the upcoming season.
In addition to his Hart Trophy prospects, Hughes also ranks eighth in odds for the Rocket Richard Trophy (+3000), awarded to the player with the most goals in a season. While not traditionally a prolific goal scorer, Hughes is recognized for his playmaking abilities and ! in contention alongside Nikita Kucherov and Mikko Rantanen.
With the appointment of new head coach Sheldon Keefe and strategic additions by General Manager Tom Fitzgerald, including Jacob Markstrom, Brett Pesce, and Brenden Dillon, the Devils appear poised for a resurgence. These moves bolster optimism that Hughes, returning to top form, could lead the Devils back to the heights they reached in their dominant 2022-23 season following a disappointing 2023-24 campaign.
