Devils Rumors: Luke Hughes & Team In Agreement On Length Of Next Contract

Luke Hughes is one of the remaining RFAs without a contract for next season, but I don't think the two sides are that far apart. The player and team seem to both want a similar length of the next contract, but the number may be a bit different.

According to Luke Fox, "I think there's a desire on both sides for this one not to be a bridge, for it to be a long-term deal, maybe something in the seven year range."

For now, Hughes can sign up to eight years, but even seven years would take him past his brother's contract by two years. Matching up doesn't appear to be what matters as if anything, Quinn Hughes will join both of his brothers on the New Jersey Devils, not Luke and Jack leaving New Jersey.

Hughes really stepped up when Dougie Hamilton was injured, so it gave the Devils a lot of confidence in his abilities as the number one defenseman and the anchor on the power play going forward. It brought up talks of Hamilton being moved before the end of his contract. That may have to happen money-wise and due to the number of NHL capable defenseman ready for roles like Seamus Casey and Simon Nemec.

There may be concern for Luke Hughes to get more money on his deal than Jack Hughes, but Jack was drafted two years prior and signed his contract four years ago. Not only was it a steal, but the cap wasn't projected to be rising how it is now. The Devils should try to lock Luke down for as long as possible at a fair amount higher than Jack if he is going to continue his role as the number one defenseman for the majority of his next contract starting next season.

Luke finished last season with seven goals and 44 points in 71 games while playing over 21 minutes of ice time. At such a young age, we can already clearly see the potential and what he can turn into. He also had the second-best Corsi and expected goals for % among the defense as well. There is no doubt that Luke Hughes and the Devils agree on a lengthy contract before the season.