The New Jersey Devils have finally inked a long-awaited deal with defenseman Luke Hughes, handing the 22-year-old a seven-year contract worth $63 million that averages $9 million annually. It's a move that underscores the team's commitment to building around its young core, especially after months of negotiations that dragged into the offseason. Luke, who tallied 44 points last season while anchoring the blue line, becomes a cornerstone for a franchise eyeing deeper playoff runs.
Indeed, this extension comes at a pivotal time for the Devils, who just wrapped up a frustrating campaign. Luke's deal locks him in through the 2031-32 season, providing stability amid whispers of cap crunches ahead. His brother, Jack Hughes, the team's electrifying center and captain, is already midway through his own eight-year pact signed back in 2021, carrying an $8 million cap hit that still looks like a steal given his 99-point explosion in 2022-23. Yet, with Jack nursing injuries that sidelined him for chunks of recent years, the focus shifts to Luke's emergence as the defensive rock.
However, not everything aligns perfectly. Reports earlier hinted at disagreements over term length—Luke pushing for five years, the Devils countering with longer security. They settled on seven, a compromise that boosts New Jersey's blueline depth but raises eyebrows about veteran Dougie Hamilton's role, given his hefty $9 million salary. The brothers' synergy on and off the ice has been a Devils hallmark, but sustaining that amid rising expectations feels increasingly precarious.
Moreover, this signing ripples through the NHL landscape, where young stars command premium deals. Luke's AAV edges out some comparables, signaling how inflation hits defensemen hard. For New Jersey, it's a calculated bet on family ties and talent. Still, as the season looms, one wonders if this bolsters their contention window or merely papers over deeper roster gaps.