Luke Hughes signs 7-year, $9M extension with Devils

Just one minute later, the team released the extension news, sharing that Hughes will join the rest of his Devils teammates for practice on Thursday.

After being drafted fourth overall in the 2021 NHL draft, Hughes spent the following two seasons in the NCAA with the University of Michigan. With the Wolverines, Hughes scored 27 goals and 87 points in 80 games. After advancing to the Frozen Four, Michigan lost to Quinnipiac, who went on to win the National Championship. Concluding Michigan’s run, Hughes joined the Devils for a two-game stint, scoring a goal and an assist. He also appeared in three postseason games that year, where he registered two assists.

Hughes, 22, has been a mainstay on the Devils’ blueline ever since. Through two seasons, Hughes has missed just 11 regular season games, scoring 16 goals and 75 assists for 91 points. His nine-goal, 47-point rookie campaign was good enough to earn him a third-place finish for the 2023-24 Calder Trophy, trailing just Connor Bedard and Brock Faber.

Luke, brother of Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, reportedly sought a contract with a five-year term, aligning with his other brother, Devils assistant captain Jack. Jack has five more years remaining on his eight-year deal worth $64 million, signed in 2022, which carries an average annual value of $8 million.

The Devils getting Hughes locked up on a lengthy contract keeps him there through 2032. His brother Jack is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030. The oldest brother, Quinn, has just two years remaining on his six-year, $47.1 million contract, which carries an average annual value of $7.85 million. This walks him straight into unrestricted free agency, where he’ll have close to the entire NHL vying for his services.

The youngest brother, Luke, will have a week to ramp back up to game shape after missing training camp and five preseason games. The Devils make their season debut against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, October 9.