On Wednesday we learned that New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes is not going anywhere. The native of Manchester, New Hampshire signed a seven-year contract worth $63 million. This is the second straight day a restricted free agent signed a massive contract. On Tuesday, the Minnesota Wild signed Kirill Kaprizov of Novokuznetsk, Russia to the largest contract in NHL history. Starting in 2026-27, Kaprizov will be making $136 million over eight seasons. That is $17 million per season.
It was not much of a surprise at all that Luke Hughes stayed in New Jersey. As a matter of fact, it would have been stunning if he went anywhere else. That is because he is able to play with his brother Jack in the Garden State through at least to 2029-30. Don’t be surprised if the other brother, Quinn Hughes, who is the captain of the Vancouver Canucks, eventually joins Luke and Jack in Jersey.
Not an easy negotiation
Luke Hughes’s camp was negotiating with the Devils for a significant time. Luke was reportedly originally looking for a five-year-deal, while Devils management was looking for a three or eight year deal. The sides came to terms on a seven year deal, so the gap in essence was bridged.
Luke Hughes in 2024-25
In 2024-25, Luke Hughes had seven goals and 37 assists for 44 points in 71 games. He was a -9 with 16 penalty minutes, one game-winning goal, 16 power-play points, 121 shots on goal, 60 blocked shots, 19 hits, 33 takeaways, and 86 giveaways.
Hughes’s game winner occurred on December 27 in a 4-2 New Jersey win over the Metropolitan Division rival Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey’s Prudential Center. Hughes’s significant goal was from blueliner Brett Pesce of Tarrytown, New York and left winger Jesper Bratt of Stockholm, Sweden put Carolina up 3-2 at 4:15 of the middle frame.
Who are the highest paid defensemen in the NHL right now?
There are four defensemen at this time who are making $10 million or more in 2025-26. Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson of Landsbro, Sweden is making $11.5 million this season. He is followed by Buffalo Sabres blueliner Rasmus Dahlin of Lidkoping, Sweden, who is making $11 million, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty of London, Ontario, who is making $11 million, and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard of Oakville, Ontario, who is making $10.5 million. It should be noted that Karlsson has not been effectively lately as he is a -46 over the last three seasons.
