New Jersey Devils veterans return to training camp in precisely 20 days, and at this time, restricted free agent Luke Hughes remains unsigned as his agent, Pat Brisson, and Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald work towards a new deal.
Hughes, 21, has appeared in 155 games for the Devils and has 93 points (17 goals, 76 assists). Last season, he took a tremendous step in his defensive play, paired with veteran Brett Pesce, in addition to leading the blue line with 44 points.
"He could do everything," said NHL Network analyst Mike Rupp. " I think in New Jersey, they are at the stage right now where they are ready to keep giving him more and more. We saw it last year. Ice time is going up. He is starting to get more and more responsibility. [...] He is going to be a puck distributor, a puck mover. His legs are everything to him. He has a little more size than his two brothers. I think this is an awesome number one defenseman for a franchise. The Devils, they have got a good one here."
"He has got the full package, and I think he is their franchise defenseman," added former Devil Pat Maroon.
With Hughes still without a deal, many are becoming impatient, as this would be the second consecutive season that the Devils allowed contract negotiations to bleed into training camp.
Last season, Dawson Mercer missed the first day of camp before signing a three-year, $12 million contract on Sept. 20. Mercer went on to appear in all 82 games, collecting 36 points.
During a phone interview on Wednesday, The Hockey News asked Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe if there is a point at which a player's absence from training camp can affect their performance.
"I think that is on an individual player basis," he said. "Some players, it can have a great affect, and it can impact their entire season. Some cases, it has no affect at all. Specific to our situation with Luke, I am just focused on his health and making sure that he is healthy. Progress seems to be steady there.
"In terms of his contract, obviously, Fitzgerald and Luke's camp are going to work through that and continue to work through that as they have been," he continued. "Of course, as a coach, you want them there starting on day one."
Hughes, who had shoulder surgery in May, is one of several players who had surgery this summer. Jesper Bratt underwent shoulder surgery, while Johnathan Kovacevic had knee surgery. Brenden Dillon spent the early days of the offseason receiving opinions from doctors and surgeons on how to handle his neck injury. Additionally, Jack Hughes had shoulder surgery in March.
Keefe said the following about his injured players.
"We have a number (of players) who are making progress," he said. "They won't make those calls until training camp comes around in terms of who exactly will be available, who won't be, and to what degree they are available. It is sort of still up in the air at this point."
With time winding down, Fitzgerald will continue to focus on his number one priority of signing Hughes. Further updates on the team's injured players will be provided at training camp, when the veterans return to Prudential Center on Sept. 17.
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