The times they are a changin’… at least with one prospect.
After all signs pointed to Jack Hughes (2002 second round pick, 51st overall) not being offered a contract before his rights expire this summer, Mayor’s Manor has learned of a key change. Word is, the 6-0 center is set to sign an Entry Level deal by new Kings GM Ken Holland. That’s quite the turnaround from where things were just a few months ago under prior leadership in LA.
Hughes, who appeared in all 40 games for Boston University this past season — including helping them reach the NCAA national championship game — recorded career-highs in assists (18) and points (25). The talented native of Massachusetts had a strong second-half of the season while playing right wing on BU’s second line; helping the Terriers both on the power play and even strength. During postseason play, he was named to the NCAA Toledo All-Regional Team, where he picked up a shorthanded goal and added two assists, including the primary helper on BU’s tying goal, in a victory over No. 9 Ohio State in the NCAA regional semifinals.
Building on that success, Hughes scored a goal and added another assist in a win over No. 5 Penn State in the national semifinals. BU eventually lost in the final to Western Michigan, thanks in large part to the play of fellow Kings prospect Hampton Slukynsky (goaltender for WMU).
A visitor to LA for several Development Camps in recent summers, Hughes was talked about by Kings Development Coach Mike Donnelly during our 2022 and 2023 Development Camp reports.
In total, getting Hughes signed would give LA yet another rookie prospect in AHL Ontario next season, joining a strong crop of other forwards including Koehn Ziemmer, Kenny Connors, and Jared Wright.
Last summer, Kings Of The Podcast shared extensive conversations with both Assistant GM Nelson Emerson and Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti about Hughes.
Ultimately, this will be yet another feather in the cap of LA’s 2022 Draft. Signing Hughes would give them six players under contract from that group — with the seventh and final piece, Jack Sparkes (sixth round), still a candidate for a future deal. The organization has already signed Angus Booth (one of the best defensive players in Ontario during 2024-25) and forward Kaleb Lawrence (who brings an intriguing package of skills at 6-foot-6 and the ability to provide secondary offense). That group joins the aforementioned trio of Ziemmer, Connors, and Wright having been signed from the Kings 2022 NHL Draft class.
Hughes will be in LA this week to attend Dev Camp, more details below.
Lead photo by Harris Freeman / Boston University
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