OA Analysis: Adam Hughesman

Adam's stats from the WHL:

Season                         GP G A PTS +/- PIM

2010-11 Regular Season 60 39 42 81 20 59

2009-10 Regular Season 71 18 46 64 23 50

2008-09 Regular Season 71 16 32 48 21 39

2007-08 Regular Season 61 17 24 41 17 19

2006-07 WHL Season      3 0 0 0 0 0

Total:                        266 90 144 234 81 167

Playoffs

Season                GP G A PTS +/- PIM

2011 WHL Playoffs 8 4 4 8 -3 6

2010 WHL Playoffs 22 3 14 17 1 18

2009 WHL Playoffs 11 1 4 5 1 7

2008 WHL Playoffs 16 2 2 4 0 8

Total:                  57 10 24 34 -1 39

Obviously the stats say it all--this past season was his best ever. THAT was the Adam I'd hoped to see since he was a 16-year-old. For the first time in his WHL career he kept his hot start going through the whole season. He's had hot starts the past couple years, but then it would dribble out. Not this time--till injury limited him to only 60 regular season games.

WHY HE'LL BE KEPT:

Offense. Chemistry with Shinny and the other Winnipeg boys. Good vision, decent skating. Doesn't take a lot of penalties, good work ethic (finally showed up this past season). It probably doesn't weigh as much in Bob's decision, but Adam is really great with fans, especially the kids. He greatly improved as a player and though he doesn't kill penalties generally, he is instrumental on the power play.

WHY HE WON'T BE KEPT:

Like Shinny, Hughey is valuable so Bob might be able to get a decent deal for him. His skating is decent, nothing to write home about. He's no longer the cement-skates he once was, but still slower than some. He doesn't kill penalties.

Adam doesn't have a lot of reasons why he'd be released/traded, but at the same time, does he have enough to be kept? I don't know. I'm not going to make any bold predictions (I hate being wrong, though if I'm right it's pretty awesome). I think it'll depend on what happens with Shinny. Those two have quite the chemistry that has paid off in spades. Can one be as successful without the other?

SPOKANT SAYS:

Pros: Hot as all get out. Improved both sides of his game by leaps and bounds last season. Missed 12 games and still led the team in goals. A key part of the power play. Calming presence. Very much a team player. Last season showed leadership by coming to camp in peak condition. Chemistry with Shinny.

Cons: While improved, still lacks speed which can hinder the defensive side of his game. Bias aside, I seriously cannot think of any more cons.

My guess: 80% chance Adam stays.