Jack Hughes
Age: 24 Position: Forward
Statistics: 27 goals, 50 assists, 77 points (61 games)
Contract: Eight years, $64 million (four years remaining)
Grade: A+
2025-26 Review
The only downside to the 2025-26 season that superstar forward Jack Hughes had was the inability to play in all 82 games. Unfortunately, most of that came due to a freak injury which saw him injure his finger at a team dinner on November 13. Hughes also missed a few games, prior to the Olympic break, with a more traditional hockey ailment, a lower-body injury.
Outside of being limited to 61 games, it was a sensational season for Hughes both as it relates to his play with New Jersey and on the Olympic stage for the United States. Outside of scoring the overtime-winner in the Gold medal match for Team USA, Hughes equalled the highest point-per-game output of his NHL career. He posted 27 goals, 50 assists, and 77 points across on 61 games. The per-game pace equaled his 2022-23 season when he had 99 points in 78 games.
Hughes was specifically on fire following the Olympic break. Across those final 25 games of the season only one player had more points than Team USA’s hero; that being Connor McDavid. Hughes had 15 goals, 26 assists, and 41 total points across his final 25 games. That point output over an 82-game season would give him roughly 134. He was an unstoppable force to end the season.
The analytics backed up all the traditional statistics as well. Hughes was above replacement level both offensively and defensively at five-on-five, on both the power play and penalty kill, as well as taking and drawing penalties. His overall on-ice impacts, according to Evolving Hockey’s goals above replacement (GAR) metrics, ranked in the 90th percentile.
Long story short, not only did Hughes have the electric tangible offensive output, but he backed it up with the on-ice impacts both offensively and defensively. He was a do-it-all player, scoring at one of the best rates in the league for a large part of the season, all at 24 years old.
2026-27 Outlook
The simple fact is Jack Hughes has been unable to play a full 82-game season since breaking into the league. With that being said, a freak dinner accident or taking a dangerous hit against the boards resulting in a shoulder injury is not exactly something he can protect against fully. It it highly likely that injury “luck” turns at some point and Hughes is able to compete for a full season.
With that being acknowledged, there is zero doubt about his play on the ice. The 24-year-old has emerged as a bonafide superstar with really no on-ice weaknesses. He is effective both offensively and defensively, including on both ends of special teams. Locked in at a mere $8 million also provides the Devils arguably the most value of any contract in the league.
Note, all statistics are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey.