Smith was taken 17th overall in 2018 and nearly made the roster in his first camp, but spent two years working on his craft in juniors before making the cut this season. Hughes spent his rookie season last year falling short of, potentially unfair, expectations as the 2019 first-overall pick. But after committing himself in the offseason to adding strength and maturing on and off the ice, Hughes looks spectacular.
And now the two are key pieces of the present and the future. Just as the Devils drew it up. But did they draw up this type of chemistry between the two players this soon? It wasn't just Sunday night that we've seen the two play off each other.
Against the Rangers, Smith's wrister on net popped behind the netminder, and Hughes swooped in to bury it. The Hughes-Smith connections are growing in frequency, even when they don't lead to goals.
"I think living together, it's kind of brought us pretty close," said Smith. "Hanging out, every day. We have a lot of fun together on and off the ice. So whenever we get out there together it's pretty fun to play with a guy like that."
Yes, the two are roommates with Hughes possibly getting the better end of the deal.
"He's a really good roommate," Hughes said. "Actually, he does the cooking and the cleaning. It's been fun. He's a really good guy, so it's been fun to room with him so far."
Their chemistry off the ice is translating on the ice on almost a nightly basis. It helps when both have a truck ton of talent and almost artistic creativity with the puck on their stick.
"Obviously, (Jack's) got a ton of skill and speed and creativity," said Smith. "He makes plays and scores goals. I mean, it's pretty easy to play with a guy like that. I think maybe our creativity goes together in the way we're thinking and we're just trying to make plays when we're out there."
"It's good," said Hughes. "We're getting there. He's obviously off to a really hot start to his NHL career. That's really good to see him do well. And obviously, we're living together too. So it's been fun to get close with him and see him have success. So, we had to keep it going and we're happy he's on the power play and playing well now."
Five games in? Yeah. The kids are alright.