New Jersey Devils sign Jack Hughes to eight-year contract

The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Jack Hughes to an eight-year, $8-million AAV deal.

The first overall pick from the 2019 draft, Hughes, 20, has appeared in 119 games for the Devils scoring 20 goals and 55 points.

Here’s how his contract breaks down, as provided by the Devils.

2022-23: $9,000,000
2023-24: $8,500,000
2024-25: $8,500,000
2025-26: $8,500,000
2026-27: $8,000,000
2027-28: $7,500,000
2028-29: $7,000,000
2029-30: $7,000,000

Hughes missed 17 games this year due to a shoulder injury and is set to return to the lineup tonight. His 2021-22 season was off to a hot start, too. In the club’s first two games, he scored two goals and added an assist.

“I’m so excited to sign this deal for myself and for my family,” Hughes said in a statement. “I love being in New Jersey and I love playing in New Jersey. I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else, and we are really building something special. I believe in what we are doing here, and we have a great chance to be successful for a long time. This contract shows that this team is extremely invested in me and I’m also really dedicated to this organization. I want to thank Tom Fitzgerald, David Blitzer, Josh Harris, and everyone with the New Jersey Devils for this opportunity.”

The Devils drafted his younger brother, Luke, fourth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.