from Ken Campbell of The Hockey News,
Joe Thornton scored seven points in his first NHL season and two decades later, he’s a shoo-in for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Mark Messier scored one goal as a rookie in the World Hockey Association and had to go to another team after the one he was playing for folded. Steven Stamkos had two goals in his first 22 games under Barry Melrose and played his first season for one of the most dysfunctional teams in history.
So, shed no tears for Jack Hughes, who entered the NHL as the No. 1 pick in the draft and has endured a season of ups and mostly downs. Already, he’s gone through one coach and one GM, endured seeing his landlord get sent to the minors and lost a high-profile teammate in Taylor Hall. Then there has been all the losing and the 6-11-17 point totals in 38 games that look rather ordinary.
“I do,” Hughes said when asked whether he puts much stock into his point totals. “I think that’s obviously my game, right? I’m supposed to get points, but I think where my game is at, the points haven’t translated. I’m creating a lot and playing really well. Obviously I’d like to have more points…but at the same time I realize I’m going to have a really long career in this league and I’m going to be a great player. I’m happy to be in the NHL right now.”
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