Dom Luszczyszyn, an NHL analyst at The Athletic (published by the New York Times), recently ranked the top contracts in the NHL. Among the biggest names featured were Leon Draisaitl with his eight-year, $14 million AAV deal (ranked No. 6) and Brandon Hagel’s seven-year, $6.5 million AAV contract (ranked No. 2).
However, the number one spot goes to Jack Hughes. According to Luszczyszyn’s analysis, the New Jersey Devils’ forward holds the most valuable contract in the league. Hughes signed an eight-year, $64 million deal in 2022, which currently has a surplus value of $38 million. Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald secured Hughes early, and it’s already paying off significantly. Now entering its fourth year, this contract will keep Hughes under team control through the 2029-30 season, with Hughes hitting unrestricted free agency at age 29.
Hughes, drafted first overall by the Devils in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, signed his initial three-year entry-level contract worth $2.78 million the same year. Since then, he has rapidly become the face of the franchise, beloved by fans both on and off the ice. Naturally, Fitzgerald was eager to lock him into a long-term deal. With an $8 million annual cap hit, Hughes’ contract is seen as a fantastic bargain given his production and leadership.
In his NHL career so far, Hughes has appeared in 368 games, tallying 141 goals, 210 assists, and 351 points. Despite suffering injuries last season after scoring 70 points in 62 games, and undergoing shoulder surgeries that shortened two seasons, the 24-year-old continues to develop. Even with injury concerns, his contract remains a tremendous value. Luszczyszyn highlights that the Devils have excelled in the contract game, with five years still left on Hughes’s deal, and are far from seeing its full return.
Hughes remains pivotal to New Jersey’s resurgence, providing elite play at a reasonable cost and an immeasurable impact. Now attention turns to his younger brother, Luke Hughes, who is expected to sign a new Devils contract soon. Fans hope Luke’s deal will mirror Jack’s in both value and long-term potential.
Photo credit: ©Ed Mulholland-Imagn Image
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Fan Take: This news highlights the importance of securing young talent early to build a team’s future success while managing salary cap effectively. For hockey fans, Jack Hughes’ contract sets a new benchmark for value and longevity, signaling a promising era for the Devils and potentially influencing contract strategies league-wide.
