The New Jersey Devils took no risks with Jack Hughes.
The team announced on Tuesday that Hughes inked an eight-year, $64-million deal ahead of the 20-year-old centre's RFA eligibility.
The first-overall pick of the 2019 draft, Hughes was set to become a restricted free agent after this season. His new deal carries an average annual value of $8 million.
"I believe in what we are doing here, and we have a great chance to be successful for a long time," Hughes said via a press release. "This contract shows that this team is extremely invested in me and I'm also really dedicated to this organization.