New Jersey Devils: Jack Hughes Impact On Nico Hischier, Taylor Hall Contracts
By Nick Villano
The New Jersey Devils will likely select Jack Hughes with the first-overall pick in the NHL Draft. Will this change how they negotiate contracts this season?
All season long, New Jersey Devils fans talked about, heard about, couldn’t get away from speculation that Taylor Hall might not re-sign with the team once July 1st comes around. This wasn’t because he’s an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. No, actually he has a full year left on his deal. However, after what we saw happen to the New York Islanders with John Tavares (they got better, so maybe this doesn’t work as well anymore), Devils fans are worried.
Well, one would think with hockey over for the Devils, this speculation would become unbearable. Then, something amazing happened.
The New Jersey Devils won the right to select Jack Hughes (or Kappo Kaako, I guess). Getting Nico Hischier was amazing in 2017, but this is the type of pick that can change the trajectory of a franchise forever. These players are the ones that become synonymous with a franchise if you play your cards right.
However, to play those cards right, you have to manage the salary cap correctly. The Devils are in an interesting spot because they have two major players who are about to get paid handsomely, but those contracts could have an impact on what Jack Hughes makes in the future.
Taylor Hall needs to get signed. The addition of Hughes just confirms the time for the Devils to win is around the corner, and they have to do it while Hall is still in his prime. However, to take advantage of his prime, he has to be on your team.
So, if the Devils sign Hall to a max eight-year deal worth $10 million per season, then that means once Hughes is up to get paid there will be five more years on that deal. Will Ray Shero be considering this when discussing a contract with Hall? Is he going to ask Hall to take less because of this fact?
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Another contract that was pretty cut and dry before the Devils got the chance to take Jack Hughes is that of Nico Hischier. Technically, the Devils could sign Hischier to an extension at the same time they sign Hall. It’s actually smart, so they know what they’re dealing with cap wise in the long term.
What Hischier’s going to command in a new contract has everything to do with when he signs it and how long it is. If the Devils want him to sign for as long as possible, it’s going to cost much more. If they’re willing to let him sign for, say, five years, they could get away with a $4 million to $6 million AAV.
This is all a great problem to have (well, except for still waiting on a Hall contract). The Devils have too many great players, and eventually they will need to figure out how to sign them all. Right now, everything is great. Hughes will make under $1 million per season for three seasons.
Eventually, Hughes could be making Auston Matthews money. By then, hopefully the salary cap goes up considerably (it could go up $10 million in three seasons, which would take care of everything). Even if it doesn’t, the Devils could easily fit Hughes at $10 million, Hall at $10 million and Hischier at $6 million if that’s how it all works out. That just means whoever Shero signs this offseason will either have to be on a short-term deal, or something that’s going to work out.