Jack Hughes’ Top-Ranked Contract May Complicate Devils’ Push to Sign Luke Hughes

As of August, the New Jersey Devils have not reached a new contract agreement with defenseman Luke Hughes, who was selected fourth overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and has completed his entry-level deal. The team has approximately $6–7 million in salary cap space.

Hughes, 21, has played 155 career NHL games with the Devils, recording 17 goals, 76 assists, and 93 points over a little more than two full seasons. Around the league, young defensemen have recently signed substantial contracts early in their careers. Cale Makar’s six-year, $9 million-per-season deal was signed in 2021 after two NHL seasons, and Brock Faber’s eight-year, $68 million contract was signed after his rookie season in which he finished ahead of Luke Hughes in Rookie of the Year voting. The Devils’ objective is to sign Hughes to an eight-year deal.

The Devils have had previous success with long-term contracts. Nico Hischier signed a seven-year contract in 2019, and Jesper Bratt signed an eight-year contract. Jack Hughes signed an eight-year contract in November 2021 with an average annual value (AAV) of $8 million. In 2024, The Athletic ranked Jack Hughes’ contract as the best in the NHL, identifying a $38 million total difference—$7.6 million per season over five years—between his actual salary and the expected market value based on performance.

Luke Hughes and Jack Hughes are both represented by agent Pat Brisson of CAA Sports. Brisson also represents Dawson Mercer, who last year signed his contract in September and missed the start of training camp under new head coach Sheldon Keefe.

During an episode of Sportsnet’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman stated that with the NHL salary cap rising, the market is being reset, and identifying a “sweet spot” between team and player is challenging. Friedman said some players do not want to sign contracts that quickly become bargains, and that some teams dislike being listed among the league’s best-value contracts because it can make negotiating with other players more difficult.

When Jack Hughes signed his deal, his $8 million cap hit was approximately 10.8% of the Devils’ salary cap. In the 2022–23 season, he recorded 43 goals and 99 points. Friedman noted that some teams are avoiding contracts based on a percentage of the salary cap because the dollar value of that percentage will increase as the cap rises.

Sportsnet analyst Luke Fox has reported that the Devils are considering trading players with higher salaries to create more cap space for Luke Hughes’ extension. Dougie Hamilton has three years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $9 million. Ondrej Palat has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $6 million.

At the same time, online sportsbooks have adjusted their odds for the Devils’ upcoming season. DraftKings lists New Jersey at +1600 to win the Stanley Cup, +750 to win the Eastern Conference, and +280 to win the Metropolitan Division. BetMGM lists the Devils at +2000 to win the Stanley Cup and +900 to win the Eastern Conference. FanDuel lists them at +850 to win the Eastern Conference. Odds to win the Stanley Cup have shifted since early summer; some opened as short as +1300, lengthened to +2000 in mid-July, and have since shortened to around +1800 at certain outlets. Covers has reported that odds adjustments across the league have coincided with roster changes, including Vegas acquiring Mitch Marner.

In player futures markets, FanDuel lists Jack Hughes at +1600 to win the Hart Trophy. The Hockey News lists him at +3400. Luke Hughes is not among the top Norris Trophy favorites; FanDuel lists Cale Makar at +135 and Quinn Hughes at +200.

General manager Tom Fitzgerald stated earlier this summer that re-signing Luke Hughes is a major priority and that Hughes wants to remain with the Devils long term. Training camp begins in more than a month, and Luke Hughes is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. The team has not announced a resolution to the negotiations.