The New Jersey Devils have FINALLY signed restricted free agent defenseman Luke Hughes to a seven-year contract extension worth $63 million, with an average annual value of $9 million. The deal, announced on October 1st, keeps the 22-year-old blueliner in New Jersey through the 2031-32 season, solidifying the team’s defensive core and paving the way for a potential Hughes brothers dynasty.
According to Puckpedia, Hughes has a 10-team no-trade clause in the final two years of the contract.
Hughes, the youngest of the famed Hughes trio, completed his three-year entry-level contract ($925,000 cap hit) after a breakout 2024-25 campaign. In 71 regular-season games, he led Devils defensemen with 44 points (7 goals, 37 assists), including 16 power-play assists. His 21:45 average time on ice per game ranked second on the team, behind only Brett Pesce, logging heavy minutes in all situations—5-on-5, penalty kill, and power play.
Selected fourth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Hughes debuted in 2023-24 with 47 points in 82 games, earning Calder Trophy finalist honors. Last season, Hughes anchored top-four minutes in New Jersey. An upper-body injury sidelined him after Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but he underwent successful shoulder surgery in April and is fully recovered.
Contract negotiations dragged into September, with Hughes absent from training camp and the preseason opener, plus several games after. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald called him the team’s “No. 1 priority” in July. The sides clashed on term: New Jersey pushed for three or eight years to align with long-term planning, while Hughes’ camp sought five years. They settled on a seven-year term, and avoids a 2030 UFA cliff for both Luke & Jack Hughes. Projections from AFP Analytics pegged his value at $8,386,810 AAV on a six-year pact; the Devils paid a premium to lock in the RFA.
This extension does bring some salary cap question, fueling speculation of trading Dougie Hamilton ($9 million AAV) to elevate Hughes to top-pair status. Especially with Luke’s older brother, Quinn Hughes, (signed in Vancouver through 2027) having expressed interest in playing with his brothers potentially by 2026-27.
