Jack Hughes' start could be the makings of an MVP-caliber season

The New Jersey Devils have gotten off to a fast start in the 2025-26 NHL regular season and enter Thursday night’s clash with the Montreal Canadiens sitting atop the Metropolitan Division. 

Yet, of all the good stories happening on head coach Travis Green’s team, the success of center Jack Hughes has been among the leading themes. Now in his seventh NHL season, Hughes has 10 goals and six assists in his first 13 games, currently sitting tied for first in NHL goalscoring.

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff Live, New Jersey Hockey Now’s James Nichols joined hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton to break down the hot starts for Hughes and his Devils. 

Yaremchuk: Let’s start at the top of this Devils lineup…with 10 goals on the season for Jack Hughes, nine of them at even strength. Are we in the first month of what could be an MVP-caliber season?

Nichols: He and the Devils are certainly hoping so. He looked really good, really strong through the first 13 games, and he’s out to prove to everyone. Obviously, the injuries over the past couple of seasons have been the narrative around him, and coming in, there were questions about whether he could be the same player or not due to those injuries. Now, he’s come in looking better than ever. 

There was a lot of talk about how this surgery would make him stronger and better than ever, and so far, so good. He’s the motor that makes the Devils’ engine rev, and it’s been a great benefit for them. 

When I watch the Devils this year, there’s his speed and his availability, but what I really noticed was their back end — like a healthy Dougie Hamilton, what Brendan Dillon has done there… what can you say about your back end just making it easier for their two veteran goalies?

You can catch the full Devils breakdown and the rest of the latest episode right here…