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.
It will now preserve 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. In line with one Devils reporter, head coach Sheldon Keefe expressed concern about Hughes’ absence following Tuesday’s follow.
Whereas Hughes put up stable numbers for a defenseman final 12 months (seven targets and 37 assists in 71 video games), the Devils are paying the teenager for the participant they count on him to change into, extra so than the participant he’s proper now. In line with PuckPedia, Hughes may 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 begin the fourth season of his eight-year deal, which pays $8 million a season.
In two years, Luke’s oldest brother, Quinn, will change into an unrestricted free agent in Vancouver. It might doubtless require some wage cap gymnastics for the Devils to handle all three Hughes brothers on the identical roster, however it will be enjoyable to see.
All three Hughes brothers had been top-10 picks within the NHL; Quinn was taken seventh general in 2018, Jack was picked first general in 2019 and Luke was drafted fourth general in 2021. In the mean time, Luke is the highest-paid brother ($9 million per season), however that might change when Quinn hits free company after the 2026-27 season.
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