James Nichols
Thursday was the first day on the ice for the New Jersey Devils as training camp got underway, yet Luke Hughes was missing.
READ MORE: The Latest in the Devils, Luke Hughes Contract Deadlock
By now, you know the situation. The Hughes camp is seeking a five-year contract, whereas the Devils camp wants him on a bridge, or long-term contract,
On Wednesday, Pierre LeBrun via insider trading explained he and the team at TSN expect the deal to be, in fact, long-term.
However, nothing is done at this moment, which Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald described as “disappointing” for both himself, and the player.
“This is part of the process. We’re grinding through this together and presenting both sides of [the story], and where we want to go with this, and respecting each other’s opinions,” Fitzgerald explained. “But this is part of the process. Unfortunately, we’re disappointed he’s not here. I know he’s disappointed he’s not here. I was texting with him yesterday, knowing that we will get through this at some point, we just don’t know when that point is.”
This isn’t unlike how it went for Dawson Mercer last summer. One year ago, the Devils forward missed the first day of training camp, however, agreed to a contract the following morning, and was on the ice for day two.
So, time is of the essence for Fitzgerald, who claimed in May that perhaps Mercer was a step or two behind in all of 2024-25 after missing just a single day of training camp.
“Well, right now, urgency-wise, I mean, tomorrow’s day two of training camp,” Fitzgerald continued. “I do believe every day you lose, it is an impact on a player. So from our end, yeah, there’s urgency to get him here, or to continue to strive to that common goal of getting a deal. And I believe on their end too, there’s, there’s some urgency. So his agent and I, who I have the utmost respect for, will continue to push toward each other, and knowing that each side has to continue to give.”
One thing Fitzgerald did reiterate was the notion that Hughes is his No.1 priority, and added that he’s not looking for a short-term solution.
“The top priority is, is signing Luke Hughes to a long term deal, and that’s our goal. It hasn’t changed,” Fitzgerald said.
The schedule moves quickly in the coming days. A few more practice days before the Devils host the New York Islanders for the first preseason game on Sunday. The Devils will want Hughes’ contract sorted out by then so he’s acclimated to game speed,
Otherwise, Hughes’ eventual late arrival could have lasting implications.
