Luke Hughes officially signs NJ Devils NHL Contract
It's official - Luke Hughes signs three-year entry level NHL contract with the NJ Devils.
He's expected to make his debut tonight vs Boston.
Good luck, young man, and thanks for the two seasons! Go Blue!
https://twitter.com/umichhockey/status/1644702323212537858
Getting him for two years was a blessing. Good luck to Luke in his NHL career!
Here's the official release from the Devils:
https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-sign-luke-hughes--release/c-343266486
He'll be wearing #43 on NJ as well.
From facing a weirdly good college team two days ago to the best NHL team today. Having a weekend like this is worth savoring. Good Luck in the bigs and thanks for the memories.
Great to have him for 2 seasons. I think he'll be dynamic in the NHL once he settles in - I suspect lots of his turnover problems in college were just a disrespect for opposing defensemen or a belief he can get away with anything (which he often did). That'll get ironed out in the league
Quinn had some similar issues here that seem to be gone from his game in the NHL
Yeah, he'll be fine. I think the staff at Michigan was, to some extent, ok with the trade-off. What he added to the team was just terrific. You can't get away with it in the NHL and he'll alter his game without too much difficulty.
Not playing tonight, but will be with the team.
Congratulations. Thanks, and Go Blue!
Did see a report that McGroarty won't be signing with the Jets and will return next year.
https://michigan.rivals.com/news/report-rutger-mcgroarty-returning-to-michigan-for-2023-24
This is great news.
Sorry this didn't show up as a link. For some reason I'm having trouble with it on my phone. Pilot error in sure.
Devil's have a nice 6 man Def rotation with a solid 7th filling when needed. I don't really want them messing with anything with just 3 games left before the playoffs. I'd rather he watch and get used to being around the guys and we'll work him into the rotation in camp.
Well, one caveat. Devils are one point behind Carolina for top seed. If we can't catch them by last game and are locked in 2nd then yeah let him play and give some regulars a rest before playoffs. But as longas there's a chance to catch Carolina then it's pedal to the metal.
I think he’ll play in both games. Carolina will be tough to catch with a game in hand considering they play Ottawa and Detroit after today’s game against Buffalo. Regardless, the main reason I think he plays is the Devils are good enough to make a deep run in the playoffs. You reach the conference finals and you’ve possibly played an additional quarter of an NHL season but over a shorter timespan. Even if Luke doesn’t figure into the playoff roster initially, there’s a good probability that he’ll be needed later. You want him to have at least a couple of games to acclimate to the speed of the NHL game in case you need him later.
If he’s not going to play in New Jersey, wouldn’t it be better for them to send him to Utica, which is in a playoff chase of their own with just a few games left?
Unless of course the belief in Jersey is that he’s gotten enough tread on the tires this year and they’re going to rest him, seems like getting him some professional ice time would benefit him more than being a healthy scratch and watching the Devils.
Not surprised. Wish him well in nhl.
Sad to see him go, but not surprised. Stuff like this always makes being a college fan bittersweet. Obviously he wanted to be successful here, but the ultimate goal for everyone is to be a pro. Still hurts seeing guys leave with eligibility left, but you can't really blame him. Best of luck to him with New Jersey and hopefully after his rookie contract he can sign with a team I actually like.
Congrats to Luke and his parents. Such an amazing thing to not only get 3 kids to pro hockey, but all could be stars. Can’t wait to see them playing together for USA in the 2026 Olympics.
Are there any other Hughes kids?
Going to have to wait 25+ years for the next generation of Hughes’.
Pretty cool that he’ll get to play on the same team as his brother Jack Hughes
Kick butt in the NHL Luke.
Thanks for playing at Michigan