It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re in the middle part of the summer, but there’s plenty of chatter. This time of year is quiet, but general manager are still working hard behind the scenes. There are still a number of restricted free agents that need deals. We’ve seen a few contracts signed, but there are still a handful of deals that need to get done.
One of those teams that needs to sign a key RFA is the New Jersey Devils . This edition of NHL rumours takes a look at what the next contract may look like for that player.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
What Next Deal May Look Like for New Jersey Devils RFA Defenceman
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Luke Fox gave an update on contract talks between the Devils and defenceman Luke Hughes . Fox noted that there seems to be a desire to get a long-term deal done.
Analysis: The Devils currently have over $6.1 million in salary cap space as the team approaches training camp next month. Hughes is the only name on the roster that has yet to have a new deal. Getting a new deal for the 21-year-old has been a priority for Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald this off-season.
Fellow defender Simon Nemec is also in need of a new deal, but he’s under contract at least through the end of the upcoming season . Fitzgerald does have time to get a deal done for Nemec. However, Hughes needs a new contract before the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on a recent edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast that the market is going to have a bit of reset. This is due to the salary cap going up over the next few seasons. Friedman added that finding a sweet spot for a deal is going to be a challenge.
What It Means
Some Devils fans could be worried about Hughes’ contract talks dragging into training camp. However, Fox does provide some good news. He said that Hughes and the Devils have a mutual interest in getting a long-term agreement taken care of. Hughes shares the same agent as fellow New Jersey player Dawson Mercer . Talks with Mercer also extended into training camp before a contract got finished. It’s possible we see the same thing happen.
There were some schools of thought that would have seen the younger Hughes take a bridge contract that would need revisiting in a few years time. However, Fox said there’s a desire to get a long-term deal done.
Fox added that something in the seven-year range is what he’s hearing for a rumoured deal. This would take the youngest Hughes into unrestricted free agency. One advantage a long-term contract could have is keeping Luke with his older brother, Jack Hughes , together for the future.
Nothing much has come from the talks between the two sides. However, that’s likely the way things are between the two sides. We’ll likely not hear much until a deal is in the final stages.
Main photo by: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
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