Luke Hughes and the Devils have remained in contract talks throughout the offseason, a luxury they have thanks to the star defender carrying 10.2(c) status that makes him ineligible for an offer sheet. While they remain without a pact, they’re at least aligned on the length of a contract. Sportsnet’s Luke Fox said on yesterday’s Halford & Brough In The Morning radio show on Sportsnet 650 that both sides have focused on a long-term deal, likely a seven-year contract. That’s in line with the approach New Jersey has taken with their other young stars. They gave forward fixtures Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes seven and eight-year deals, respectively, upon expiry of their entry-level contracts. The younger Hughes, now in the same position, should easily be able to command more than Jack’s $8MM AAV if the Devils are willing to go there. Evidently, they aren’t. The only two players making more than Jack Hughes on the Devils’ roster were external additions – UFA splash Dougie Hamilton (who was signed before Jack
