In a move that solidifies the New Jersey Devils' defensive core, restricted free agent Luke Hughes has agreed to a seven-year, $63 million contract extension, announced just days ago. The 22-year-old defenseman, who tallied 44 points last season while leading the team's blue line in production, now carries an average annual value of about $9 million. It's a hefty commitment, no doubt, especially considering his youth and the Devils' ongoing push to contend in the Eastern Conference.
Indeed, this signing comes at a pivotal time for the franchise. Luke, the youngest of the celebrated Hughes brothers, follows in the footsteps of his sibling Jack, whose own eight-year, $64 million pact—inked back in 2021—remains one of the league's most enviable deals. Jack's contract, with its $8 million AAV, has proven its worth as he notched career highs of 99 points in the 2022-23 season, driving the Devils to a franchise-record 52 wins. Yet, there's a subtle pressure here: with cap space tightening, how will general manager Tom Fitzgerald balance these investments amid whispers of potential trades for veterans like Dougie Hamilton?
Moreover, the Hughes duo's synergy on the ice has been a bright spot. Luke's emergence last year, including that memorable overtime assist from Jack on his first NHL goal, underscores their family bond translating to on-rink chemistry. However, negotiations weren't entirely smooth; reports suggested disagreements on term length earlier in the offseason, with Luke pushing for longer security. Fitzgerald, ever the optimist, had publicly stated the deal "will get done," and it did—on the eve of training camps.
The $63 million figure for Luke raises eyebrows, positioning him among top-paid young defensemen, though some analysts question if it locks in too much future cap hit for a still-developing player. Jack's contract, meanwhile, continues to rank highly in value assessments, lauded for its bang-for-buck ratio in a salary-capped league.
Still, as the brothers anchor New Jersey's future, one wonders how their contracts will shape the Devils' trajectory in the years ahead.