Morreale: Hughes, like Eichel, also is itching to finally experience postseason hockey, especially after a record-setting regular season. In his fourth NHL season, the 21-year-old forward had 99 points (43 goals, 56 assists), the most in a season by a Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts player, and unquestionably was the straw stirring the drink on offense for New Jersey. He was able to use his exceptional playmaking ability to score an NHL career-high 43 goals. It's the most he's scored in a season since he had 58 as a 15-year-old playing in the Greater Toronto Hockey League in 2016-17. It's also the one statistic he's most proud of this season. He'd love to see that part of his game continue in the postseason, particularly against the rival Rangers in the first round. Hughes has learned over time how to navigate the tough areas of the ice to limit big hits by opponents in almost a Patrick Kane-like way. It's enabled him to create and dominate in the offensive end and there's no reason to think it won't continue in the playoffs.
Gulitti: I'd like to say Mike doesn't know what he's talking about, but he's been following Hughes since before he was drafted. That Hughes is only 21 means he hasn't reached his ceiling yet and he probably still needs to get a little stronger (it will be scary when he does). But for now, I think Eichel is better suited to handle the physicality of playoff hockey through a long series, though he was dealing with an upper-body injury that sidelined him for two games before he returned for Vegas' final regular-season game Thursday. The Jets have some size down the middle too, with Pierre-Luc Dubois (6-4, 214), Adam Lowry (6-6, 208) and Kevin Stenlund (6-5, 215), along with defensemen Brenden Dillon (6-4, 224) and Dylan Samberg (6-4, 219). But Eichel is well equipped to handle whatever matchup he faces and he's hungry to make his long wait to play in the playoffs worth it.
Morreale: Tom has one thing going for him in this debate and that's the fact Eichel is the bigger and stronger of the two; there's no denying that fact. Hughes (5-11, 175), however, has proven to be steadier and stronger on his skates this season and hasn't been knocked down nearly as often as he was during his first two NHL seasons. Hughes is as confident as they come, and with the way he's able to use his edges and control the puck, he'll sometimes attempt things that simply are jaw-dropping. Fans always are on the edge of their seat when Hughes retrieves the puck in his end and skates out in transition. The fact his shot has become more prolific after constant work the past two summers only adds to his ability when he has the puck in prime position. He'll likely be on a line with two other offensively gifted players in Jesper Bratt and Ondrej Palat, adding to the probability of playoff stardom. Will he make a no-look pass to an open teammate? Will he drill it from the right face-off circle? Or will he casually skate wide along the goal line and attempt to bank the puck of the goalie's mask? It's all in his toolbox and it's what makes Hughes a magician on the ice.
