Oct. 1 (UPI) — The New Jersey Devils agreed to a $63 million contract with unrestricted free agent defenseman Luke Hughes, general manager Tom Fitzgerald announced Wednesday.
The seven-year pact will pay the 22-year-old an average of $9 million per season.
Hughes joined the Devils as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He appeared in two games in 2022-23. Hughes logged nine goals and 38 assists over 82 appearances in 2023-24. He netted seven goals, with 37 assists, over 71 appearances last season.
Hughes also has two brothers that play in the NHL — Devils forward Jack Hughes and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes.
The Devils, who went 42-33-7 last season, will battle the New York Rangers in a preseason game Thursday in New York. They will open the regular season against the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 9 in Raleigh, N.C.