Devils hold Hughes brothers collectively after large new contract
After a protracted summer season of back-and-forth negotiations, the Devils
agreed to phrases with defenseman Luke Hughes on a seven-year deal price $63 million on Wednesday.
This may now hold 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 methods aside” by way of contract talks after his three-year entry-level contract wrapped up following the 2024-25 season. In keeping with 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 12 months (seven targets and 37 assists in 71 video games), the Devils are paying the teen for the participant they count on him to grow to be, extra so than the participant he’s proper now. In keeping with 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 grow to be an unrestricted free agent in Vancouver. It could 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 total in 2018, Jack was picked first total in 2019 and Luke was drafted fourth total in 2021. In the meanwhile, Luke is the highest-paid brother ($9 million per season), however that would change when Quinn hits free company after the 2026-27 season.
