Aug. 30th: Speaking directly about the negotiations with Hughes in a recent interview with James Murphy of RG Media, Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald was quoted as saying, “Eventually, this will get done. The 11th hour is training camp. Right? A lot of times, a lot of the stuff doesn’t get done until the 11th hour. We’re hoping we can get something done here in quick fashion, and both sides are working hard at it; that’s for sure.”
Although he didn’t indicate that this was something that Hughes’ camp was directly threatening, Fitzgerald did acknowledge the possibility of a holdout, saying, “At the end of the day, when really the only leverage the player has at this point in their career is holding out, that stinks. I don’t think anyone wins, quite honestly, when that happens. So Pat and I are trying hard to get this thing to come to some common ground.”
Aug. 29th: Aside from Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks, defenseman Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is objectively the highest-profile restricted free agent remaining from this summer’s class. Unfortunately, according to Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com, Hughes is expected to remain an RFA unless heavy concessions are made on either side regarding the length of his next contract.
According to Novozinsky’s report, the Devils are focusing on either a two-year bridge deal or a longer-term eight-year extension for Hughes, while the defenseman is requesting a five-year contract. A five-year contract would walk Hughes into unrestricted free agency after the 2029-30 season, the same time that his brother, Jack Hughes, would also become a UFA.
That would only escalate the speculation this offseason regarding the brothers’ desire to play together at some point during their NHL careers. Still, the eldest brother, Quinn Hughes, would have already signed an extension with the Vancouver Canucks, or joined a different organization via free agency by that time.
Regardless of the contract length, New Jersey has some work to do regarding Hughes’ eventual salary. If the Devils acquiesce to Hughes’ contract length demands, it’s unrealistic to assume he would sign for a $6MM AAV, which would be the maximum salary the Devils could afford at the time being. Theoretically speaking, New Jersey can exceed the upper limit of the salary cap by 10% over the summer months, but it would only kick the can down the road to the start of the regular season.
That’s likely why the Devils are prioritizing a shorter-term bridge deal for Hughes, which will likely become the eventual compromise between the two sides. Hughes could pursue a three-year deal in a few years, aligning his request to become an unrestricted free agent with Jack’s timeframe. New Jersey would certainly like to keep both players in the Garden State throughout their careers, but their negotiating power will be significantly restricted once Luke becomes eligible for arbitration.
At any rate, the clock is ticking for both sides. Training camp is only a few weeks away, and this isn’t something that either side will want to drag into the regular season. Ultimately, one side will have to become flexible so that Hughes can start the year on time.
Are the three kids working it to play in hometown Detroit at the same time?
That would be absolutely insane, but I’m here for it. It’s more likely Quinn goes to Jersey.
Gotta think they’d want to play on a team that’s been to the playoffs in the last 10 years
Quite confident they’d be in the playoffs if they had even one of the Hughes brothers.
Hometown Detroit? Jack and Quinn were born in Orlando and Luke was born in New Hampshire.
Yup. AI fooled me. You’re right
If you know anything about them Detroit is more of their hometown than anywhere else. “Born in” is completely different than hometown.
Unless you are a McDavid type player, a 3rd year player having any leverage whatsoever is hilarious. Bridge deals, make em great again.
He’s got leverage. Lots of it.
Is Mason McTavish higher profile than Luke Hughes though?
Maybe talked about more because of the perceived realistic chances of a trade, but I would agree that Luke is higher-profile due to the last name.
Pretty sure the play on ice plus ceiling is much higher regardless of his pedigree
Ceiling maybe. Play on the ice, not yet.
So does Quinn sign a 3 year deal after this current contract to line up with his brothers FA?
I don’t see how it lines up for the Devil’s, or another team that’s going to be able to sign all 3 of them at $30+ aav for the trio
Cap is going up, and $30mil to be set at 1C, 1LHD and 2LHD would likely be worth it.
That the thing though. Luke is probably only a 2 LHD on a team with Quinn on it. So he’s going to take a lesser role and money to play with Quinn?
Or just have a stacked left side and save some money on the right side.
It could probably be figured out by a GM who is better than I at such things.
Yes. Quinn will cover lunch.
All 3 will become a prime target for rebuilding teams in 2030.
Take Pitts. They will still be rebuilding in 2030. With Crosby gone and high draft picks on ELC or bridge deals, they should have enough cap room to accommodate the trio.
Which would right away make them cup contenders.