Sheldon Keefe says Jack Hughes is finally defending

First, the important hockey news: Jack Hughes' face is back out in the open.

Anthony Corona

@ACoronaNJD

Jack Hughes has ditched the fishbowl. #NJDevils t.co/JqevKsbthn

For context, Hughes took a stick to the face from Dallas forward Justin Hryckowian on October 27, spit out teeth, and came back for the 2nd period in a full shield. He still scored the final goal of a 5-1 win. Losing teeth is apparently a habit by now. Connor Hellebuyck joked after that one that every time the 2 of them play together Hughes loses a tooth, a nod to the Olympic gold medal game earlier in 2026. So the fishbowl is gone. The more interesting part of Tuesday was what his coach said about the rest of his game.

Keefe got asked straight up whether he and his staff have been working on making Hughes a complete two-way player. He said yes, then laid out the whole argument: Hughes plays more than anyone on the team, so if he doesn't defend, nobody does.

Anthony Corona

@ACoronaNJD

Sheldon Keefe when asked if he and his coaching staff have been concentrated on getting Jack Hughes to be a more complete two-way player: "Yes. It’s essential for us to have success as a team. He has the ability to impact the game the way he does offensively and with the puck, but there’s a good portion of the game played without it. He plays more than anyone else. The way I put it to him, we don’t have a chance of being a good defensive team if the guy who plays the most doesn’t commit to that, doesn’t play with a conscience and [isn’t] responsible with the puck. As our team game has improved, Jack has really been a part of that. That’s what we’re looking for. At the end of the day, his production is going to come how it’s going to come. He’s been on the ice and scored some empty-net goals, icing games away. Those add to the stats as well, but that’s well-earned by how he’s played and managed throughout the game. With our best people, the more we get of that, the more we get real traction and consistency in our play. It keeps the accountability chain intact." #NJDevils

That's about as blunt as a coach gets about his franchise player. Calling it essential is one thing. Saying the Devils don't have a chance of being a good defensive team if the guy who plays the most doesn't play with a conscience is basically saying it out loud in front of every reporter in the room. It's still a compliment, though, because Keefe also says it's finally happening.

Anthony Corona

@ACoronaNJD

Sheldon Keefe on when he started to see the defensive commitment from Jack Hughes: "I would say I’ve seen it for the last two weeks. That’s really been it in terms of the commitment without the puck. His play with the puck has been exceptional. A lot of his defending comes through offense and keeping the other team pinned in their end and playing on their half. Inevitably, there are times you have to play without it. He’s been far better in that area, as our entire team has. Like I said, the guy who plays the most has to set the bar for everyone else. When that’s there on a consistent basis, that’s when our team really takes off." #NJDevils

The timing tracks. In late October the Devils were already talking about Keefe's structured, 4-line system taking hold, and after a 4-1 win over Anaheim on October 23 that moved them to 6-4, Keefe praised Hughes specifically for playing smart, disciplined hockey. That's right around the 2-week window Keefe is now pointing to. He was also careful to say it wasn't 1 moment that flipped a switch. It's consistency, and he says the players are driving it, not the coaches.

The room is noticing too. Brett Pesce, who actually has to defend for a living, said seeing Hughes care that much on that end gives the whole team a lift.

Anthony Corona

@ACoronaNJD

Brett Pesce on Jack Hughes' defensive play as of late: "Like I said, it’s a team effort, no matter who you are. When he makes plays like that, it gives us a boost of confidence, too. He’s one of our leaders and our offensive guy. To see him care that much is awesome. It definitely gives us a boost of confidence." #NJDevils

This is the knock that has followed Hughes for years. Nobody has ever questioned what he does with the puck, and Keefe even said his puck play is his best defense, because the other team's top guys get frustrated when there's only 1 puck and Hughes has it. The question was always what happens when he doesn't have it. If 2 weeks turns into a full season, the Devils go from a team with a superstar to a team built around a superstar who sets the standard on both ends. That's a very different team come spring. What to watch now is whether it holds up on the nights when the puck isn't going in for him.