Jack Hughes’ Olympics heroics might just lift him into a new NHL stratosphere

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Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Jack Hughes of Team USA celebrates scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Getty Images

He’s been right here, under our noses for seven years. 

An American hero in waiting.

For the better part of those years (read: when he’s been healthy), since he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Devils in 2019, an argument can be made that Jack Hughes has been the most dynamic young player among our three local NHL teams.

Yet, he’s been curiously overlooked, mostly because he doesn’t play his home games at the World’s Most Famous Arena, but also because he’s been plagued with a litany of injuries that have stolen games from him and stunted his potential for greatness.

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