Luke Hughes Secures $63M Deal with Devils, Becoming the Highest-Paid Hughes Brother
Luke Hughes during a game against the Seattle Kraken. Photo taken 7 December 2023 by Jenn G
Written by Gina Anton
Another Hughes brother just cashed in and the New Jersey Devils can’t wait to see what he will do with them.
Luke Hughes, a 22-year-old defenseman, just signed an enormous seven-year, $63 million extension deal with the Devils, locking him in through 2032. That’s a $9 million AAV, putting him among the NHL’s top-paid young blueliners.
Drafted fourth overall in 2021, Luke is already proving he can keep up with his big brothers. Last season, he racked up 44 points (7 goals, 37 assists) across 71 games, demonstrating signs of becoming the kind of all-around star player the Devils have been banking on. After rehabbing a shoulder injury that cut his playoff debut short, he’s expected to be back on the ice by October 9.
General Manager Tom Fitzgerald made no secret of his mission this offseason: “Signing Luke was our number 1 priority,” he said — and he repeated it every chance he got. From early July to the start of training camp, the message never changed. And now, the goal has been achieved.
The NHL media closely followed his comments on the entire signing process: "This is all part of the process. We’re navigating it together, presenting both sides’ perspectives, and working toward our goals while respecting each other’s opinions."
Luke’s new contract is more than just a personal milestone — it’s the latest chapter in the growing family legacy in the NHL. The Hughes brothers are not only making headlines individually, but collectively reshaping the league’s landscape. Jack Hughes, the Devils’ dynamic franchise center and former No. 1 overall pick, is in the fourth year of an eight-year, $64 million deal. Out west, older brother Quinn Hughes continues to anchor the Vancouver Canucks' blue line as team captain, all while skating through a six-year, $47.1 million deal signed in 2021. Now, with Luke officially locked in, the Hughes trio represents a rare blend of elite talent, and marketability, a storyline that’s as compelling off the ice as their play is on it.
With Luke now locked up, New Jersey is doubling down on youth, speed, and the Hughes bloodline. If all goes according to plan, the Devils could have two of the three Hughes brothers spearheading a Stanley Cup run — and that’s a headline the league won’t be able to overlook.
