T.J. Hughes' NHL Debut Wasn't Perfect, But There Were Plenty of Promising Signs

The former University of Michigan standout showed flashes of why Colorado believes he belongs at hockey's highest level, while also looking like a player experiencing his first NHL game. Hughes was good at times and less so at others — an understandable combination for someone taking his first steps in the league.

Not every rookie walks into the NHL and immediately looks like Wayne Gretzky. Even Auston Matthews, now the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, set an almost impossible standard when he scored four goals in his NHL debut.

Nathan MacKinnon following a two-goal performance and a two-piece combination on Brandt Clarke.