The Case for the Hughes Brothers
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The Calder, Norris, and Hart trophies are three of the most coveted in hockey after the Stanley Cup. Luke, Quinn, and Jack Hughes have the opportunity with the 2023-24 season to be the first set of brothers to ever win all three in the same season. Below is an argument for each of the three to win these respective honors:
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Already off to a stellar start this season, New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes is hard to count out of the Calder conversation. Of course, compared to rookies like Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, Hughes is a seasoned veteran. He had a goal and an assist in the dying moments of the 2022-23 regular season and added two more helpers in three playoff games as well. He currently sits with a goal and five assists in eight 2023-24 regular season games, tied for second among rookies in assists and total points. With New Jersey likely among the top Stanley Cup contenders this year, Hughes has the opportunity to capitalize on the strong team around him. He is a major contributor on the Devils’ power-play unit and knows when to turn on the offense. Bedard is still the heavy favorite, but this race will be a lot tighter than people originally expected. Hughes is more than capable to be one of three in the family to win a major honor after the regular season concludes.
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Like his youngest brother, Quinn Hughes is off to an outstanding start to the 2023-24 NHL season. After being named captain of the Vancouver Canucks just two months ago, Hughes has not crumbled under the pressure — he has excelled. In nine games played, he has three goals and eight helpers, for 11 total points, tied for first between defensemen. Although the Vancouver Canucks will likely not be performing at the level of the team that his brothers play for, he should not overlooked in the Norris Trophy race. Hughes has proven time and time again that he is an offensive weapon, never playing a season without scoring at least 40 points, and is a star on defense, as he makes up half of Vancouver’s top pairing with Flip Hronek. There is a clear favorite, Colorado’s Cale Makar, but Hughes should be at the top of many ballots come voting time if the season continues to play out this way. He has the hockey prowess and ability to be the second of the three Hughes brothers to win an award this offseason.
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After most recently being named the NHL’s no. 1 star for the month of October, it has once again been made clear that Jack Hughes is a solidified star in the league. He currently leads all players in points and assists, with 18 and 13, respectively. He is centering the Devils’ top line with recent acquisitions Tyler Toffoli and Timo Meier on either side of him. These three have accounted for 35 total points through nine games and only make each other stronger. Despite a bit of a slow start out of the gate and currently holding third place in the Metropolitan Division, the Devils will likely continue to be led by Hughes into the postseason. Once all is said and done in the 2023-24 regular season, there will be tough competition for the league’s MVP. However, Jack Hughes has put the NHL on notice and does not look to be slowing down. The Hart is not far from Hughes’ reach this year and it would make the family three for three if he were to take it home.
