Star centre Jack Hughes has signed a new eight-year, $64-million contract extension with the New Jersey Devils.
Hughes, the first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, was set to become a restricted free agent after this season.
"I'm so excited to sign this deal for myself and for my family," said Hughes 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 contract begins in 2022-23 and the salary breakdown is as follows: 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 has played in 119 games since entering the league in the 2019-20 season, scoring 20 goals and registering 35 assists, while averaging just over 17 minutes of ice-time per contest.
The 20-year-old, who has missed New Jersey's last 17 games after separating his shoulder, is set to make his return to the lineup Tuesday night when the Devils take on the San Jose Sharks. Hughes has been out the lineup since Oct. 19, and has only played in two games this season.
Hughes' brother, Quinn, a defenceman for the Vancouver Canucks, signed a six-year extension with Vancouver worth just over $47-million on Oct. 1.
