New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has made it clear that re-signing Luke Hughes is at the top of his offseason priorities.

At the team’s end-of-season media availability, Fitzgerald stated, “My number one priority is Luke Hughes,” and noted that contract negotiations would begin after the July 4th weekend. But now, more than 20 days later, no deal has been finalized.

So, what’s the holdup?

Salary Cap

The most likely reason is the salary cap. The Devils currently have just under $7 million in available space, leaving them with important financial decisions to make.

Fitzgerald could use that cap room to lock in Hughes with a long-term deal, or explore trades to clear more space, potentially moving higher-salaried veterans to make way for younger core players.

Trade Candidates: Palát and Hamilton

Two names surface frequently in trade discussions: Ondřej Palát and Dougie Hamilton.

Palát, 34, is entering the fourth year of his five-year, $30 million contract, which carries a $6 million annual cap hit.

In 2024–25, he played 77 games, tallying 15 goals and 13 assists. While his leadership and playoff experience bring value to New Jersey’s young roster, his cap hit could be viewed as expendable if the team seeks long-term flexibility.

Is Ondřej Palát Still the Right Fit for the Devils? – The Hockey News

Is Ondřej Palát Still the Right Fit for the New Jersey Devils? Ondřej Palát, 34, is entering the fourth year of his five-year, $30 million contract with <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils">the New Jersey Devils</a>. The winger carries a $6 million cap hit annually. With a roster full of young talent, a history of injury, and average production, is Palát still the best use of that cap space?

Hamilton, meanwhile, is the Devils' highest-paid player, with a $9 million annual cap hit as part of a seven-year, $63 million contract signed in 2021. Now, in the fifth year of that deal, Hamilton recently modified his no-trade clause, from full protection to a partial one, making him tradable to a list of 10 approved teams.

Despite the cap pressure, there's a reason Hamilton earns that figure: he remains a top-tier defenseman and a veteran presence on the blueline. Trade rumors swirled around him this offseason, but no deal has materialized.

Rumor Mill: Dougie Hamilton and Quinn Hughes – The Hockey News

Rumor Mill, Fact Sheet: What’s Really Going on with Dougie Hamilton and Quinn Hughes? If you follow <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils">the New Jersey Devils</a>, you've probably heard the names Dougie Hamilton and Quinn Hughes circling in recent days.

Hughes' Situation

Luke Hughes remains a restricted free agent with no signs of interest in leaving New Jersey. His brother Jack Hughes is already under contract with the franchise, and there have even been rumors that their oldest brother Quinn Hughes could join them in the future.

So, what might Luke's contract look like?

Industry speculation suggests a potential long-term deal in the range of seven to eight years, with an average annual value (AAV) between $7–9 million. A longer-term deal would benefit the Devils, seeing that the CBA timing constraint makes an eight-year deal more valuable before September 2026.

However, there’s also the possibility of a shorter bridge deal, which would give the Devils more flexibility and leave options open if the team wants to reassess his long-term fit. If Hughes is given a bridge deal it is predicted to be around $5-6 million. 

Other Moves Already Made

While Hughes remains unsigned, Fitzgerald has been active this offseason:

• Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov were brought in during the opening days of free agency.
• More recently, Jake Allen, Thomas Bordeleau, and Cody Glass were signed to round out the roster.

Still, with the major roster additions complete, Fitzgerald's primary focus should now be on Hughes. The delay in his signing likely stems from cap space and contract length negotiations, not any hesitation about keeping him.

Final Thought

Luke Hughes is a cornerstone piece of the Devils’ defensive future. Fitzgerald will make the deal eventually, but when? Whether via clearing cap space or finalizing terms with what’s left, the clock is ticking.

Photo Credit: © Tom Horak-Imagn Images