#2 Kyle Palmieri – $4.65 million AAV through 2020-2021
Kyle Palmieri was our leading point scorer at the time of the pause. He is one of the most consistent players on the New Jersey Devils roster if not, the most consistent. His consistent point production, combined with his sniper playstyle makes him very valuable to the team.
He is a shooter among passers and a veteran among young guns. For all he brings to the table, I think Palmieri can be making millions more than he is currently getting paid by the Devils.
Whoever the Devils GM is going forward, they’re going to have a tough time getting this kind of value out of an extension with Palmieri.
#1 Jack Hughes – $925,000 AAV through 2021-2022
It’s hard to beat the value that comes out of an NHL entry-level contract. That’s what puts Jack Hughes’s contract at the top on this list. Locked in for another 2 years at just $925,000, Jack Hughes is slated to develop rapidly at the NHL level. This makes for some great value on the Devils balance sheet.
Though only on pace to score 25 points this season, Hughes overcame some serious adjustment pains in his rookie year. He is young, small, and inexperienced. He’ll have plenty of time going forward to get bigger and better. Many agree – Jack Hughes is only going to improve.