Vancouver Canucks' Fate with Luke Hughes Appears to be Confirmed After New Development
Photo credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
The Vancouver Canucks are out of luck to bring Luke Hughes to British Columbia as the blueliner has agreed to a massive contract with the New Jersey Devils today.
As the summer dragged on, the New Jersey Devils and restricted free agent defenseman Luke Hughes were in a stalemate in contract talks, leading some to wonder if General Manager Tom Fitzgerald would consider trading him for a haul.
If Fitzgerald were to consider trading Luke Hughes, there's no question that the Vancouver Canucks would be one of the team's interested, as it would've helped their chances of keeping captain Quinn Hughes around long-term.
As we enter October, with the regular season less than a week away, the stalemate has come to an end and Luke Hughes has agreed to a massive contract that ties him for the 12th-highest cap hit among defenseman in the National Hockey League.
New Jersey Devils lock up defenseman Luke Hughes to massive contract on Wednesday
In a press release on their website, the New Jersey Devils confirmed the news, announced that they've agreed to terms on a seven-year deal with Luke Hughes that'll see him earn $9 million US annually.
The Devils added that Luke Hughes will be able to rejoin the club for practice starting on Thursday, which should give him enough time to get into at least one preseason game, most likely Saturday afternoon's contest against the Philadelphia Flyers.
"The New Jersey Devils announced today that the team has agreed to terms with restricted free agent defenseman Luke Hughes on a seven-year contract worth $63,000,000 ($9,000,000 AAV). The announcement was made by President/General Manager Tom Fitzgerald. He will join the club for practice on Thursday." the Devils said on their team website.
Hughes, 22, was selected fourth overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and has gone on to appear in 155 games with the big club after leaving college in the spring of 2023, registering 93 points (17 goals, 76 assists), 44 penalty minutes and is a minus-34.
With the Manchester, New Hampshire native now under contract, he becomes the highest-paid Hughes brother in the National Hockey League, $1 million more than Jack and $1.15 million more than Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes.
"Hughes brothers, by cap hit
Luke: $9 million
Jack: $8 million
Quinn: $7.85 million" Luke Fox of Sportsnet said.
Luke: $9 million
Jack: $8 million
Quinn: $7.85 million" Luke Fox of Sportsnet said.
Vancouver Canucks fans might be feeling a bit down by this news for a couple of reasons, one of which being that it puts an axe in any plans for the club to bring Luke Hughes to British Columbia.
The other reason why fans might be disappointed is that with Luke & Jack locked up long-term in New Jersey, it could add more fuel to the fire regarding Quinn Hughes potentially heading to the Devils either via trade or as a UFA in 2027.
Source: New Jersey Devils.
Devils Agree to Terms with Luke Hughes on 7-Year Deal | RELEASE
Devils Agree to Terms with Luke Hughes on 7-Year Deal | RELEASE
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