"I think we've had a good season so far (but) there have been some injuries and stuff like that," said Hughes, citing various teammates out of the lineup including team leader Jacob Truscott (Vancouver).
Weinrich is an especially interested observer. The longtime NHL defenceman continues to work closely with Hughes and expanded upon the uptick in his overall game in the past month.
"Offensively he can impact the game every shift,"said Weinrich, "one of the things we've talked about all season is his two-way game and how he can still impact the game with the puck and still be a responsible defender."
For his part, Hughes is satisfied he's heading in the right direction. Listing off a series of technical terms that would make a hockey purist blush, he says it's a matter of natural growth and proper execution.
"I've always been able to use my legs and now I'm (getting better) at using my mind," said Hughes, pointing out that it's not so much deliberate, conscious changes but more instinctual.
For all the hoopla surrounding Hughes (and his brothers) there have been a few speed bumps. To start with, there is considerable pressure following older brothers who established themselves as elite NHLers not long after being high picks. Then, Luke was injured two years ago and missed the World U18s in Dallas. Serving as US captain at the most recent World Junior, the Americans lost a hard-luck semifinal to Canada, the eventual gold medalists. The US rebounded in its next game to leave Halifax with the bronze medal after a wild 8-7 OT win.
Last year, the Wolverines lost in OT in the semi-finals of the Frozen Four to the eventual champs, the University of Denver Pioneers. The obvious goal is to make it one step further this year. Whatever happens, the Wolverines are doing it with a new (interim) head coach, Brandon Naurato, who replaced Mel Pearson in the summer. The move was another hiccup that Hughes has taken in stride.
"(Brandon Naurato) has been awesome, I think he deserves the (permanent) job," Hughes said. "But for me there hasn't been a big difference."
Understandably, Devils fans are stoked about when Hughes will arrive in Newark. Anyone who has witnessed the highlight reel goals and breathtaking back-end skill couldn't come away with anything other than excitement.
But the NHL is a different animal than college hockey, or playing against teenagers at the World Junior. No matter how good a prospect may be playing against his cohort, you have to pick your spots in the NHL. It's something that both the Wolverines coaching staff and the Devils development team have worked with Hughes on.
"He is slowly learning how to pick his spots, use his ability and energy at both ends of the ice," said Weinrich, adding that his recent four-goal game came largely from making smart plays rather than devil-may-care mad rushes up the ice.
All this is not to suggest that Hughes impressive offensive skills do not translate perfectly fine when he does make the jump.
"Luke is a very nice and respectful kid who has a real competitive side to him," said Weinrich, "He is hard on himself in a good way to be the best player every night…it's great to see this development in him."
Luke, of course, is the youngest of Ellen and Jim Hughes' three prolific puckster boys. First Quinn, followed soon after by Jack and now Luke, all had a star quality about them as young kids following their Dad to the rink in Toronto, where Jim worked in operations/development roles with the Maple Leafs.
The bond remains strong even if distance has made the communication more digital than in-person. Luke has a vested interest in Jack's break-out year but also how well the Devils are playing.
"We talk all the time, all three of us just had a FaceTime call (and) I watch every Devils game I can," adding later in the conversation that Jim remains an astute observer of all three boys' games.
"Jack is having a great year and so is the team, I think it's awesome."
