Devils' Jack Hughes responds to Rangers broadcaster's "blatant disrespect" against Igor Shesterkin claim

New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes was asked about comments made by New York Rangers broadcaster Steve Valiquette following the Devils' 5-1 win on Monday night.

Valiquette had criticized Hughes during the broadcast for attempting a flashy "Forsberg" move on a first period breakaway, suggesting it showed "blatant disrespect" toward Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin.

When asked post-game if he was trying to embarrass Shesterkin on the play, Hughes seemed confused by the question.

"I mean, I don't even know what that means,"Jack Hughes said. "Like what does it even mean, yeah, I don't really know what that means."

The play in question came in the first period as Hughes approached the net, he faked to the forehand before reaching around with one hand on his stick to put the puck past Shesterkin on the backhand. However, Shesterkin stopped the tricky attempt.

Valiquette, the former NHL goalie and current Rangers studio analyst, took exception to Hughes trying the flashy move.

"I don't like that because Hughes set out to embarrass Shesterkin there by slowing down and going to one hand," Valiquette said during the broadcast. "And that should send a shock wave to everybody on the bench...that's blatant disrespect."

Chris Kreider scored for the Rangers. Jack Hughes (two goals), Dougie Hamilton, Dawson Mercer and Jesper Bratt scored for the Devils. Jacob Markstrom stopped 40 out of 41 shots. Igor Shesterkin made 22 saves of 27 shots in the loss.

Next, the Devils will face the Seattle Kraken on Friday while the Rangers face the Pittsburgh Penguins at home.

Rangers' broadcaster Steve Valiquette discusses his perspective on Jack Hughes' use of the Forsberg move

When asked by studio host John Giannone if perhaps Hughes was just trying to outwit the highly skilled Shesterkin, Valiquette doubled down on his stance.

"No, he's had success against Igor playing him straight up. And I thought he slowed down. He wanted to put a fancy move on. It was more Instagram hockey than intense hockey," Valiquette said.

Valiquette felt Hughes deliberately showed off on the play rather than making an intense competitive move. He suggested the Rangers should have taken offense to Hughes trying a flashy one-handed deke that is rarely seen outside of shootouts, rather than shooting the puck normally against Shesterkin.