Devils Superstar an Early 2024-25 Hart Trophy Favorite

It seems that no one is buying the New Jersey Devils’ 2023-24 season. Despite faltering last year after an extremely successful 2022-23, the Devils remain a favorite to ascend in the standings in 2024-25 and re-emerge as a playoff threat. That likely has a lot to do with superstar forward Jack Hughes.

According to the NHL betting odds for 2024-25, they’re banking on Hughes returning his early 2023-24 season form.

Led by Connor McDavid (+180) and followed by Nathan Mackinnon (+500), Hughes and Auston Matthews (+1000) are tied with the third-best odds to claim the Hart Trophy next season, awarded to the individual who is determined the most valuable player to his team.

Before he was taken out by injury last season, Jack Hughes was lighting up the NHL. In his first 32 game of the season, the 23-year-old star registered 15 goals and 45 points, putting himself in the Hart Trophy conversation from the very beginning. Before he became injured, Hughes only went pointless in nine contests.

A few injury stints between January and April certainly slowed Hughes’ production.

Hughes ultimately underwent season ending shoulder surgery in April, however, is expected to be fully recovered for training camp and the beginning of the 2024-25 season.

The Devils All-Star forward also owns the eighth-best odds to take home the Rocket Richard Trophy for the player who scores the most goals in a single season at +3000. Hughes is tied with Nikita Kucherov and Mikko Rantanen in the category.

Although the Rocket Richard seems less likely as Hughes isn’t known as a goal scorer but more a playmaker, the Hart Trophy is certainly an award that one could reasonably see Hughes winning.

Following a disappointing 2023-24, the Devils are poised to bounce back next season under new head coach Sheldon Keefe. With the new additions General Manager Tom Fitzgerald made this summer in Jacob Markstrom, Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, and more, it’s easy to imagine a situation where Hughes takes off again and leads the Devils back to their dominant 2022-23 selves.

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