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Fans React to Devils' Massive Luke Hughes Deal

New Jersey Devils fans had been holding their breath since the end of last season in regards to the status of fan-favorite defenseman Luke Hughes.

Jennifer Streeter

Mar 31, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (43) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Mar 31, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (43) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images / Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
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New Jersey Devils fans can finally give a long-awaited sigh of relief.

Oct. 1 saw the Devils' President/General Manager Tom Fitzgerald announce that the team has agreed to terms with restricted free agent defenseman Luke Hughes. The budding young NHL star (22 years old) now has a seven-year contract worth $63,000,000 ($9,000,000 AAV). Contract negotiations were clearly tough; Hughes's entry-level contract expired at the end of last season.

The news of his latest signing comes after Hughes completed his second full season in New Jersey and tallied 44 points (seven goals, 37 assists) after playing 71 games in 2024-25; this led all Devils blueliners.

Luke is the youngest member of one of the most popular hockey families of the modern era — the middle brother, Jack, is a center also on the Devils' roster and the eldest, Quinn, is the captain of the Vancouver Canucks. All three were taught by their mother — Ellen Hughes — who is a former ice hockey silver medalist and is involved with Team USA Hockey.

The trio of brothers recently made headlines over Jack's comments on the potential of uniting all three brothers on the Devils' roster.

The New Jersey Devils will open the regular-season on the road by facing off against the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 9 at PNC Arena.

Here's how fans reacted to the long-awaited news:

"I literally think I have PTSD from this experience," said one fan on the time it took for Luke to be signed.

"Massive W for the Devils, that's a hefty bag," another fan said.

"I think the hard negotiating was worth it for this price tag, going to be an outstanding deal in a year and a half the latest, our franchise defenseman will only be taking up about 10% of the cap in 2 years, leaving a lot of space for another #43," said an additional Devils fan.

"Now we need the 3rd Hughes brother," another said.

"Just fell to my knees in an aldi out of joy," said one last fan.

Jack currently has an eight-year, $64 million deal that was signed in Dec., 2021. Quinn's $47.1 million contract does not expire until 2027.

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Jennifer Streeter
JENNIFER STREETER

Jennifer Streeter graduated with a B.A. in journalism from Texas A&M and received her Master of Science from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. At both schools, she focused on an emphasis of sports reporting. A former athlete herself, "Jenny" was a varsity soccer player and comes from a family who participated in NCAA athletics. She has covered everything from the 2025 Hughes Bowl, SEC football, Ivy League athletics, the 2023 ALCS and the 2023 World Series, the WNBA, and much more.

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