Former NHL player and analyst Mike Rupp sparked controversy by ranking a healthy Jack Hughes above Auston Matthews in the NHL Network’s Top 20 Centers list. The debate unfolded recently on the NHL Network, where Rupp emphasized the impact of Hughes’s current health status on his evaluation.
Rupp explained his choice by highlighting that injuries have hindered Hughes’s development, and if fully fit, Hughes would surpass Matthews in value. Hughes has encountered persistent shoulder problems, including recent surgery on his right shoulder, but is expected to return fully prepared for the New Jersey Devils’ upcoming training camp.
Last season, Hughes appeared in 62 games, tallying 27 goals and 43 assists for a total of 70 points, with a plus-12 rating. Drafted first overall in 2019 by the Devils, the 24-year-old center has shown considerable promise when healthy, which factors heavily into Rupp’s assessment.
Public Response to Rupp’s Ranking of Hughes Over Matthews
The NHL fan base reacted swiftly and passionately on social media to Mike Rupp’s selection of Jack Hughes over Auston Matthews among the league’s top centers. Opinions varied widely as many debated Hughes’s durability against Matthews’s consistent production.
One fan acknowledged the age advantage and injury history, saying,
“I honestly would too, mainly because Jack is almost four years younger and Matthews has had his own injury issues.”
—Fan reaction on social media
Contrastingly, others questioned the hype around Hughes, expressing skepticism about his standing compared to Matthews. One commentator challenged the idea of ranking Hughes ahead of Matthews, stating,
“I don’t get the Hughes hype. Yes he is amazing BUT over Matthews? Come on. Poll any GM who they would rather have and I guarantee they’d say Matthews. IMO, which no one care about lol, I wouldn’t put Hughes top 5.”
—Social media user
Concerns about Hughes’s ability to stay on the ice were also prominent among fans. Another user noted,
“Problem is he may not be durable. He averages 61 games per season. Not sure that’s going to change.”
—Fan comment
Furthermore, analysts critiqued Hughes’s recent performances, as one mentioned his underwhelming showing at the 4 Nations tournament, despite his youth and the Devils’ ongoing rebuild, observing,
“I’m not a huge Matthews guy but Hughes was pretty invisible at the 4 Nations tournament. He does have the benefit of being 4 years younger than Matthews, but has had a difficult time staying healthy and the team has been going through a slow rebuild with him, fault or not.”
—NHL observer
Comparing Recent Seasons of Hughes and Matthews
Auston Matthews, captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, faced his own challenges last season with an upper-body injury curtailing him to 67 games. Despite this, he accumulated an impressive 78 points through 33 goals and 45 assists, maintaining strong offensive production. In the playoffs, Matthews contributed 11 points in 13 games, underscoring his significance to the Leafs.
In comparison, Hughes’s productivity remains promising but has been affected by frequent injuries. With the Devils continuing to rebuild around him, expectations hinge on his ability to stay healthy. Mike Rupp’s endorsement of a fully fit Hughes points to the potential shift in center rankings should Hughes manage to overcome his injury setbacks.
As the NHL advances toward the next season, the ongoing dialogue around the Auston Matthews vs healthy Jack Hughes debate will likely persist, with fans, analysts, and general managers watching closely how Hughes recovers and performs in the coming training camp and beyond.