Jack Hughes

July 2025 – Hughes signed a two-year AHL contract through the 2026-27 season with the Los Angeles Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Hughes, who recently completed his senior season of collegiate hockey at Boston University, has not signed his entry-level contract with the Kings and will have until August 15, 2025, to finalize a deal, after which his signing rights will expire and he could become an unrestricted free agent. Even if Hughes does sign with Los Angeles, he will benefit from time spent in the AHL, where he can adapt and learn at the professional level before making the potential jump to the NHL. His second-round draft pick pedigree should keep him on your watch list in deep dynasty leagues; he has the potential to become a reliable bottom-six playmaking forward; that said, he is a long way from fantasy relevancy. Mark Henry 

June 2023 – Hughes matched his point totals from his rookie season with 16 points in 32 games in his sophomore season at Northeastern University. Hughes’ game extends beyond point totals and offense, as he consistently demonstrated his relentless forechecking style throughout the year. This style should lend itself to success as he improves in other areas, making him a viable candidate to go pro once the opportunity arises for the Kings to bring him into the organization. Sean Crocker

July 2022 – The Los Angeles Kings have selected Hughes in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, 51st overall. Nick Richard

December 2021 – One of the older players in the class, Hughes, already has a full season with the USNTDP U18 team under his belt and is nearly halfway through his freshman season at Northeastern University. Hughes has put up respectable offensive numbers for a first-year draft-eligible player in the NCAA. Still, it is his overall maturity that stands out as he is already playing over 17 minutes for the Huskies and looks comfortable doing so. Nick Richard September 2021 – In two seasons with the USNTDP, Jack Hughes accumulated 72 points in 87 games. Racking up 50 assists during his time with the program, he was a productive playmaker. He represented Team USA in the U17 WHC in 2019-20, totaling seven points in six games as they secured a silver medal after falling to Russia in the finals. He also participated in the 2020-21 U18 World Championships, where he had two points in four games. After two productive seasons with the USNTDP, he will be playing this upcoming season at Northeastern University. Jack Hughes is an effective two-way pivot who plays an intelligent and responsible game. In showing a high competitive level, Hughes is a true “Jack” of all trades. He performs well in the face-off circle, forechecks and backchecks aggressively, and has a good understanding of what’s required of him in every situation. In the offensive zone, he tactfully uses dekes to lure the opposition in and create space for himself to distribute the puck. He can occasionally be found guilty of making an extra pass, but his willingness to pass instead of shoot is deceiving to the opposition and is a driving force in his offensive game. He doesn’t do a great job generating his shots but rather relies on teammates to feed him the puck in a shooting position. He does, however, do a great job generating shooting opportunities for teammates through his relentless work ethic and ability to create space. On the power play, he plays the bumper role to give him the option of shooting or being the central distributor. While he is a pass-first guy, Hughes possesses a good shot and has a knack for getting himself into dangerous scoring positions. At both ends of the ice, he shows a willingness to dig in and play a gritty game along the boards. He demonstrates strong defensive awareness, positioning his body and stick effectively to close off passing and shooting lanes. At 6-0 and 165 pounds, he isn’t the biggest guy out there, but he uses his body effectively in puck battles and outsmarts his opponents. Jack Hughes is a talented player whose cerebral game will appeal to plenty of teams next summer, and a strong season with the Huskies should ensure the Americans have another player selected in the first round. Alexander Annun