Luke Hughes' reported contract demand gives Vancouver Canucks fans a sliver of hope
Vancouver Canucks fans have a right to be nervous about Quinn Hughes potentially leaving in two years. But, at least he’s actually under contract.
The same can’t be said for Quinn’s youngest brother.
Luke Hughes surprisingly remains a restricted free agent, despite the fact that the New Jersey Devils’ general manager, Tom Fitzgerald, told media early in the summer that re-signing Luke was his top priority.
Not only is he still unsigned, but a new report suggests that he’s looking for a contract that would line up with Jack Hughes’ deal.
NJ.com reporter Ryan Novozinsky recently reported that the youngest Hughes is looking for a five-year contract. That’s significant because if Luke were to sign a five-year deal, theoretically, both he and Jack could hit unrestricted free agency at the same time.
What this means for Quinn Hughes and Canucks
It was well-known that Quinn Hughes had two years left on his contract, but president Jim Rutherford threw gasoline onto the simmering storyline during the Canucks end-of-season press conference in April.
“He’s said before that he wants to play with his brothers,” Rutherfold told the media. “That would be partly out of our control [or] in our control if we brought his brothers here. So there’s many moving parts here.”
The quote sent shockwaves through the hockey world. Fitzgerald was even asked about it once the Devils were eliminated from the playoffs.
Since then, there have been concerns in the fanbase about Quinn bolting in two years to join his brothers in New Jersey.
However, if Luke were to actually sign a contract that lined up with Jack’s, with the idea that they would hit free agency together, could Quinn potentially do the same with the Canucks?
That would equate to Quinn signing a three-year extension with the Canucks, making him a free agent in the summer of 2030 at the age of 30. At that time, Jack would be 29, and Luke would be 26.
If they did that, the three brothers could all choose to sign in New Jersey or Vancouver, or anywhere else they like.
What’s next for Luke Hughes?
It would be surprising if the Devils caved to the reported demands of the fourth overall pick from 2021 and his agent, Pat Brisson, signing him to a deal that would allow him to enter free agency in his prime.
The report from NJ.com suggested that the Devils want to sign Hughes to a three-year bridge deal or a max eight-year extension. AFP Analytics projects a three-year deal to be worth $5.7 million and a max-term contract to be worth $8.3 million.
Cranbrook, B.C., native Bowen Byram, also a fourth overall draft pick in 2019, just signed a two-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres worth $6.25 million per season. Byram has never eclipsed the 40-point mark, something Luke has already done twice.
A recent article from The Athletic pegged him as the best U23 defenceman in the NHL. Much like Quinn, there have been some struggles on the defensive side, but he’s already posted back-to-back 40-point seasons, despite struggling with some injuries in 2024-25.
The most likely scenario is that Brisson is trying to get the most money for his client. Currently, the Devils have $6.13 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia. They could free up some cap space by demoting a player and opening the season with a 22-man roster. If not, they’ll have to move out a player if they want to sign Luke.
Although the youngest Hughes is just one of six remaining unsigned RFAs, Canucks fans remember that Quinn also didn’t sign his current deal until Oct. 1, 2021.
“Eventually, this will get done,” Fitzgerald recently told RG.org. “The 11th hour is training camp. Right? A lot of times, a lot of the stuff doesn’t get done until the 11th hour. We’re hoping we can get something done here in quick fashion, and both sides are working hard at it.”