Devils Sign Luke Hughes to Seven-Year, $63 Million Deal

Newark, New Jersey – The New Jersey Devils secured a long-term commitment from defenseman Luke Hughes, signing him to a seven-year, $63 million contract on Wednesday. General manager Tom Fitzgerald made the announcement, stating that Hughes will carry a salary cap hit of $9 million per year through the 2031-32 NHL season.

Hughes, 22, was a restricted free agent prior to signing the deal. Last season, he excelled for the Devils, recording 44 points (seven goals and 37 assists) over 71 regular-season games. Hughes led the team’s defensemen in both points and assists, as well as power-play points, with a total of 16. He is expected to join the team for practice on Thursday.

The signing comes just before the regular season opens on October 9, when the Devils will face the Carolina Hurricanes. Prior to the deal, Hughes missed nearly two weeks of training camp due to ongoing negotiations with the team.

Fitzgerald had consistently emphasized the importance of retaining Hughes, describing the re-signing as his “No. 1 priority.” Earlier, during the opening of training camp on September 18, Fitzgerald stated, “We will be signing him. The top priority is signing Luke Hughes to a long-term deal. That’s our goal, and it hasn’t changed.”

Hughes, the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, has tallied 93 points (17 goals and 76 assists) in 155 regular-season games. He also participated in four playoff games last season, but sustained a shoulder injury during the first game against the Carolina Hurricanes, which limited his contributions.

As the situation unfolded, speculation grew regarding Hughes’ contract, with fans anxious about the negotiations. Among the uncertainties was whether Hughes would sign a deal similar to that of his brother, Jack Hughes, who is entering the fourth year of an eight-year contract worth $64 million. The family angle heightened interest surrounding the developments.

Now with Hughes secured, the Devils will likely face challenges related to salary cap compliance as the season begins. The team will need to navigate the roster dynamics creatively, especially concerning injured players. With this deal finalized, Hughes is poised to take on a key role ahead of the Devils’ season opener.