Jack Hughes is playing the best hockey he’s played in six-plus seasons. He’s hovering around 100-point pace, something he nearly achieved in 2022-23 when he and the New Jersey Devils made it through to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In fact, the landscape of the NHL is changing. Some of the NHLs top players are still on their entry-level contracts, or their early 20s.
And as such, folks will always draw comparisons.
Spittin’ Chiclets co-host & producer, Pasha Eshghi, doubled down on a bold claim made on November 7, 2025: Jack Hughes is currently better than Sidney Crosby.
“I meant what I said. Today, November 7, 2025 Jack Hughes is better than Sidney Crosby,” Eshghi told Devils reporter James Nichols on Devils Rink Report. “Now, listen, that’s a testament to Sid. The guy’s 38 years old. The fact that we’re even comparing him to Jack, who I believe is 24—that’s a testament to Sid and how incredible he’s been.”
Now look, Sidney Crosby is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, two-time Conn Smythe winner, two-time Art Ross winner, an eight-time All-Star, and the list of accolades goes on and on.
Not to mention, a gold medalist.
However, Eshghi didn’t mean in career comparison. He meant what the players each provide on the ice TODAY.
“By no means am I talking overall career here. I have people in my DMs. ‘Sid’s got three Cups. Mount Rushmore. Jack hasn’t won shi*.’ Yeah, I wasn’t comparing him, saying he has a better career than Crosby. I’m saying today.”
At 38 years old, Crosby is defying the odds. He’s off to a strong start with 11 goals and 20 points in 17 games. Hughes is similarly off to a strong start, with 10 goals and 20 points in 17 games as well.
“Crosby’s had a great start to the year. No knock on him. And I think it’s relatively close. But those guys had a reaction like I said the most absurd hot take ever. I don’t agree with it—like you look under the hood, they’re in Jack’s favor, and it’s actually not that close, especially on the defensive side of things.”
The defensive narrative, Eshghi argues, is outdated.
“It’s interesting. Jack’s defensive numbers are quite solid. So, I’m not comparing their careers. Crosby is having an amazing start to this season, which is great to see. But Jack’s 14 years younger. He’s one of the best players in the world.”
The takeaway? Legacy belongs to Crosby. The present? That’s Jack.
“So testament to Sid that it even is a conversation.”
For more Devils Rink Report, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and view this segment featuring expert analyst, Pasha Eshghi, below!
