After a protracted summer time of back-and-forth negotiations, the Devils
agreed to terms with defenseman Luke Hughes on a seven-year deal value $63 million on Wednesday.
This can now maintain two of the three Hughes brothers collectively in New Jersey for a number of extra seasons.
From “a methods aside” to a wholesome payday
Lower than two weeks in the past, Hughes, a restricted free agent, and the Devils had been “a ways apart” when it comes to contract talks after his three-year entry-level contract wrapped up following the 2024-25 season. Based on one Devils reporter, head coach Sheldon Keefe expressed concern about Hughes’ absence following Tuesday’s follow.
Whereas Hughes put up strong numbers for a defenseman final yr (seven targets and 37 assists in 71 video games), the Devils are paying the teen for the participant they count on him to turn out to be, extra so than the participant he’s proper now. Based on PuckPedia, Hughes can have a 10-team no-trade clause for the sixth and seventh seasons of his contract.
Two scoops of Hughes
The megadeal retains Hughes in the identical dressing room as his brother, Jack, for the remainder of this decade. Jack is about to start out the fourth season of his eight-year deal, which pays $8 million a season.
In two years, Luke’s oldest brother, Quinn, will turn out to be an unrestricted free agent in Vancouver. It could seemingly require some wage cap gymnastics for the Devils to handle all three Hughes brothers on the identical roster, however it might be enjoyable to see.
All three Hughes brothers had been top-10 picks within the NHL; Quinn was taken seventh total in 2018, Jack was picked first total in 2019 and Luke was drafted fourth total in 2021. In the mean time, Luke is the highest-paid brother ($9 million per season), however that would change when Quinn hits free company after the 2026-27 season.
