As it turns out, the Luke Hughes contract saga may not only be affecting the New Jersey Devils and their plans for the 2025-26 season and beyond.
Hughes, 21, is widely expected to a sign a long-term contract extension with the Devils and become one of the highest-paid young defensemen in the NHL, but there are a few roadblocks for himself and his peers.
Starting this season, Moritz Seider and Owen Power, 24 and 22, respectively, will be making north of $8.35 million, while Noah Dobson's eight-year, $76 million extension ($9.5 million AAV) will kick in in the 2026-27 season.