Brodeur Says Olympic Gold Changed How Jack Hughes Leads

Martin Brodeur thinks the Jack Hughes who came back from Milan is a different player, and not because of the goal.

Brodeur, the Devils' executive vice president of hockey operations, told NHL.com on Thursday that Hughes has returned to New Jersey ready to carry more of the room.

"You could tell he's taking more responsibility as far as being a leader and taking the bull by the horns to do stuff out there," Brodeur said. "I think it's commendable."

Hughes scored at 1:41 of overtime on Feb. 22 to give Team USA a 2-1 win against Canada in the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Brodeur, who won three Stanley Cups in New Jersey and two Olympic golds with Canada, framed the experience as the part of Hughes' development that could not be taught.

"Until you win, you don't know how to win," Brodeur said. "And I think now he saw, playing with the team, what they accomplished in Milan, and now he comes in and he goes, 'I want to be able to share that with my teammates.'"

Hughes, 25, had 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) and averaged 21:50 of ice time in 25 games after returning from the Olympics. The health questions have not gone away. He has played more than 62 regular-season games once since entering the league in 2019-20, in 2022-23, when he had 99 points in 78 games and the Devils reached the Eastern Conference Second Round.

"Health has always been a bit of an issue, and he takes it seriously," Brodeur said.

Hughes, an assistant captain alongside Jesper Bratt, pointed to offseason additions Evan Rodrigues, Luke Evangelista and Anthony Mantha as reasons the forward group is deeper. Mantha drew a look with Hughes and Bratt on the opening day of camp Thursday.

"Anyone that would tell you they don't want to stick there would be a liar," Mantha said. "They're two of the fastest players in the League."

Hughes was blunt about what he wants next: "I want to be in the playoffs playing the big-time hockey games, big-time moments."