With the Stanley Cup Final halfway through, less than four weeks remain until free agency. With that comes the promise for teams across the NHL to bolster their offensive and defensive game. However, while some franchises focus on acquiring new talent, some focus on keeping their key players.
And one such team might be the New Jersey Devils. While the Devils have come up to 81 points this season, from the 71 last year, their playoff dreams have materialized quite like they imagined. With the Hurricanes beating them in Game 5 of the first round of the playoffs, the New Jersey outfit needs some new muscle.
But while that stands for now, the Devils need to work on keeping their star players from leaving. And among all those names, Luke Hughes is the player to watch out for.
New Jersey Devils Are Eager To Secure the Services of Luke Hughes Before Free Agency
With his seven goals and 37 assists across 71 regular-season games, Hughes was a big part of the Devils making it to the playoffs this season. And everyone from the Devils’ camp believes that they must re-sign the defenseman if they need to continue their winning ways.
General manager Tom Fitzgerald has even mentioned, “We’re just trying to figure out what’s best for Luke and for us and how do we make our team better with the funds that we have available… Both parties are in agreement… We’re going to get this done.”
However, while Fitzgerald might be eager to sign the 21-year-old, their limited cap space of just $12 million should create problems for them. After justJust a little less than three weeks, Hughesghes will become a free agent, and they might need to use a significant share of their market for that cap.
The key details of the deal have yet to come out, but the Devils need to do it sooner rather than later since there is no shortage of teams looking for a promising blueliner. Hughes’s ability to assist and block penalties is another reason for rivals to be interested in securing his services.
Hughes might also look forward to remaining with the Devils since it is pretty clear he is enjoying his time with them. It took him only 71 games to bring back the numbers from his rookie season and let the whole league know he will be one player to look out for.
However, with more than five forwards commanding a $6 million salary, the Devils must find budget-friendly solutions for their back line. One of the names that seems to be most likely acquired by Fitzgerald is Curtis Lazar.
Regardless of this, there is still time until free agency and for Hughes to make his final decision.
Luke is a RFA and others can’t offer him anything because of the ELC rule so no one can offer him anything and only NJ has the rights. Also NJ said that was their main goal is to bring him back. There is no way they let Luke go with the possibility of all three Highes brothers playing together in a few years. So no one else would get him unless NJ trades him. Which isn’t happening.