New Jersey Devils
Devils Head Coach Compares Evolving Jack Hughes to Maple Leafs Superstar
Head coach Sheldon Keefe compares Jack Hughes to Toronto Maple Leafs Mitch Marner as the Devils superstar continues to evolve his game.

NEWARK—Jack Hughes simply wants to be the best. The Devils’ superstar helped led New Jersey to their 19th victory on Thursday, collecting three points in a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Whereas his offense has always been his bread and butter, it’s Hughes’ defensive play that drawing comparisons to one of the NHLs biggest superstars.
MORE—3 Thoughts: Devils Top Guys Assertive, Defense Drowns Kings; Markstrom’s 5-Hole
Through general manager Tom Fitzgerald building a made over roster this summer and head coach Sheldon Keefe recognizing the Devils’ defensive struggles last season, keeping pucks out of their own net was a point of emphasis coming into the 2024-25 season.
“A major priority when I was coming here was to get this team to defend, and we’re really starting to figure that out,” Keefe explained. “It’s been exciting. We’ll continue to work at getting more chances and getting more pucks to fall our way, but you know, we’ve got a real opportunity to compete in every game when we defend the way we have.”
The Devils’ defending overall defending has significantly improved. New Jersey has skyrocketed up in goals against per game, averaging a seventh-worst 3.43 GA/G in 2023-24 to a fourth-best 2.66 GA/G in 2024-25 so far.
Part of the improved defending has been the evolution of Hughes’ game. Keefe has been utilizing Hughes more in a defensive role, especially on the penalty kill—which even surprised the Devils’ superstar.
“Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, I didn’t expect that to be my game, but I’m happy they are giving me that chance,” Hughes said with a chuckle. “And I think I’m continuing to learn. Every team we play, I see really good players around the league. Two of the best [penalty kill] guys I’ve seen are [Jesper] Bratt and [Mitch] Marner. So I mean, I kind of watch Bratt do his thing, and I think I can watch him and learn, and I’ve just got to keep learning and finding spots that are good for my team.”
It’s easy to draw the parallel from Hughes to Bratt in terms of Jack’s improved defending. Hughes plays with Bratt every single day, and the two are constantly communicating and critiquing each other at practice. However, it was certainly interesting to hear Jack compare himself to the Toronto Maple Leafs star. Marner has solidified himself as one of the best two-way players in the NHL, and who better knows than the former Toronto head coach?
“Jack’s a very smart player. He’s got great stick, he’s got great instincts. I’ve come from a place where Mitch Marner has developed himself for being a top defensive player,” Keefe said, comparing Hughes to Marner unprompted. “I think they’ve got some similarities in terms of how they read the play and how they jump to space and how they take the puck off you. Ryan McGill believes in him. With the effort and the commitment that Jack is showing away from the puck at five on five, it gives you a reason to believe in him.
“So we’ve taken sort of baby steps. I used him a little bit more against Toronto, more so kind of when they were five on four there, and just kind of back them off a little bit more. But I wouldn’t do that if you don’t trust Jack and give him that chance again tonight, whether it’s short-handed or the goaltender is out [of the net]. He’s just playing really well, and you want to trust him. I want to see him grow in that area. He’s not going to grow unless I give him the opportunity. So it’s partially, he’s earned it, partially that I want to just throw him out there and have him grow and get experience.”
So, Jack compares himself to Marner and the Keefe says the same thing about 10 minutes later, without either of them knowing what the other one said?
Couple that with Hughes‘ desire to play with Auston Matthews for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and you can really see the kind of player Jack is trying to become.
RELATED: Sullivan Reacts to Devils’ Hughes Wanting to Play with Auston Matthews (+)
Marner is a two-time All-Star and although Jack can say the same for himself, the difference is Hughes hasn’t been in the Selke Trophy conversation for six seasons like Marner has. The Maple Leafs star has yet to claim the award for best defensive forward in the NHL, however, was a top-three candidate in the 2022-23 season.
Hughes was already a dynamic player in the offensive zone. He’s a threat night in and night out to pile on the points. However, he’s now starting to become the guy who is iced on tough assignments, and he’s excelling.
Devils captain Nico Hischier might be the stalwart two-way forward in New Jersey, and although he’s not quite there yet, Hughes is certainly working his way into the conversation.
“I think it’s a goal of Jack to be the best player he can possibly be. And he has the skill set to play and do whatever the game requires,” Keefe concluded. “When it’s time to defend, Jack can defend.”
For more Devils news, visit New Jersey Hockey Now, subscribe to our YouTube and like our Facebook page.
Follow us on 𝕏:
@NJDHockeyNow, @JamesNicholsNHL, @NickNatale10