New Jersey Devils defenseman, Luke Hughes, was finally on the ice for practice on Thursday morning. The holdout is over, and it took until October 1st to get it sorted. However, the saying is, “Better late than never.” That certainly applies in this case.
READ MORE: Luke Hughes Contract Raises Several Short & Long-Term Devils Questions
The Devils play the New York Rangers on Thursday night, and although Luke is now present, he won’t be dressing for game action.
Instead, the star defenseman skated in both practice groups today, getting about two-plus hours of work on the ice.
After a busy morning, he was finally available to offer his first comments on signing a seven-year extension, worth $63 million (a $9 million average annual value).
“I mean, it feels great,” Luke started. “Obviously, waited a little bit, but really excited to be back and, you know, happy that I’m in New Jersey for the next seven years.”
Holding out for his big payday, Luke obviously wasn’t around the team, both on and off the ice. The 22-year-old blueliner explained the precarious situation.
“Yeah, I mean, it was a little weird,” Luke said. “Obviously, a little stressful, but you know, I think I handled it really well. I have an unbelievable [support group] around me, you know, people who really care about me. I think we all did a great job staying even keel. [I was] just watching the games, doing whatever I can do to get myself ready for when I am going to sign.”
So did brother, Jack Hughes, have to fill Luke in?
“Ah, kinda. I mean, all the systems are the same,” said Luke. “So you already know that. Other than that, I mean, it’s basically the same team with a couple of new guys, and it’s gonna be good to get to know the new guys.”
In fact, his older brother, Quinn Hughes, has been through the same process. Quinn held out in 2021, signing with the Vancouver Canucks after training camp was already over. He scored at nearly a point per-game pace that season. So, Luke’s older brother had some words of wisdom
“[Quinn said] just stay patient, even keel, and get what you want,” Luke explained. “So, you know. As a family, we decided the deal, and we’re really happy with the outcome and really excited to be here for the next seven years. [Quinn] told me to, obviously, grind and kind of do the same thing we do all summer long to prepare. So nothing really changed, just training a little longer at home. That’s it.”
And, of course, now that Luke’s signed in long-term, he’s going to her the exact same question his brother, Jack, did. Do you want to play with your brother?
“Yeah, of course,” Luke chuckled. “I think the three of us would all love to play together someday. Whether it’ll happen or not. Who knows? We’ll see. But, I know he loves Vancouver, and he’s the captain there. He loves it, and we love being here. You never know, never say never.”
It was somewhat overshadowed, but Jack isn’t the only one who had shoulder surgery. Luke did as well, but explained his body is ready, and he’s roaring to go.
“It was good,” Luke started. “I mean, it sucked. Like, I feel great. My body feels great, my shoulders are strong, and I’m ready to go.”
Luke’s expectations now, tied as the highest paid player on the Devils, are raised. He explained he’s meeting those raised expectations.
“Obviously, injuries hurt us big time last year,” Hughes concluded. “So, hopefully we stay healthy throughout the year. I mean, the expectations are playoffs and trying to go as deep as we can.”
