Jack Hughes, born on May 14, 2001, is an American professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted first overall by the Devils in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Hughes signed a three-year entry-level contract in July 2019. He quickly made an impact, becoming the third-youngest player in franchise history to record a point and scoring his first NHL goal in his rookie season. The 2021-22 marked a breakout year for Hughes despite a shoulder injury that sidelined him for 17 games as he was selected to his first NHL All-Star Game in 2022.
The 2022–23 season was a standout for Hughes, achieving career highs in goals (43), assists (56), and points (99), leading the Devils to a franchise-high 52 wins and a playoff berth. Hughes earned his second All-Star Game selection and was nominated for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. He also set a franchise record with 99 points, including assisting on his brother Luke Hughes' first career goal in the final game of the regular season. Lastly, Hughes made his third consecutive All-Star appearance in 2024.
Jack Hughes’s Contract Breakdown
According to Spotrac, Jack Hughes signed an eight-year $64,000,000 contract with the New Jersey Devils, including a $2,000,000 signing bonus and an average annual salary of $8,000,000. The contract guarantees $64,000,000, and he becomes an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after the 2029-30 season.
Below is the contract breakdown:
| Year | Age | Cap Hit | League Cap | Cash | Cumulative Cash |
| 2022-23 | 21 | $8,000,000 | $9,000,000 | $9,000,000 | $9,000,000 |
| 2023-24 | 22 | $8,000,000 | $8,500,000 | $17,500,000 | $17,500,000 |
| 2024-25 | 23 | $8,000,000 | $8,500,000 | $26,000,000 | $26,000,000 |
| 2025-26 | 24 | $8,000,000 | $8,500,000 | $34,500,000 | $34,500,000 |
| 2026-27 | 25 | $8,000,000 | $8,000,000 | $42,500,000 | $42,500,000 |
| 2027-28 | 26 | $8,000,000 | $7,500,000 | $50,000,000 | $50,000,000 |
| 2028-29 | 27 | $8,000,000 | $7,000,000 | $57,000,000 | $57,000,000 |
| 2029-30 | 28 | $8,000,000 | $7,000,000 | $64,000,000 | $64,000,000 |
| 2030-31 | 29 | UFA | - | - | - |
How much is Jack Hughes getting paid?
According to Sportrac, Jack Hughes' salary for his eight-year $64,000,000 contract with the New Jersey Devils is structured as follows:
- Annual Salary (Average): $8,000,000 per year
- 2022-23 Salary: $9,000,000
- 2023-24 Salary: $8,500,000
- 2024-25 Salary: $8,500,000
- 2025-26 Salary: $8,500,000
- 2026-27 Salary: $8,000,000
- 2027-28 Salary: $7,500,000
- 2028-29 Salary: $7,000,000
- 2029-30 Salary: $7,000,000
Jack Hughes’s Career Earnings
Jack Hughes has earned $28,775,000 in his NHL career so far, as of January 2025. With his current eight-year contract running through 2029, his forecasted career earnings are $66,775,000 as per Spotrac.
What are the terms of Jack Hughes’s Contract?
Jack Hughes signed an eight-year contract extension with the New Jersey Devils in 2021. The deal is valued at $64,000,000, including a $2,000,000 signing bonus. The contract guarantees Hughes the full $64,000,000 amount, with an annual average salary of $8,000,000. According to Sportrac, The contract also specifies that Hughes submit a 10-team no-trade list in the 2026-27 season.
The contract is set to expire after the 2030-31 season, making Hughes an unrestricted free agent (UFA).
How much of Jack Hughes’ contract is guaranteed?
Jack Hughes’ contract with the New Jersey Devils guarantees him the entirety of $64,000,000 over eight years as per Spotrac.
Jack Hughes' Contract History
Jack Hughes has a contract with the New Jersey Devils, spanning eight years and totaling $64,000,000. The deal includes a $2,000,000 signing bonus, with the entire $64,000,000 guaranteed. Hughes will receive a base salary of $8,500,000 while carrying a cap hit of $8,000,000 as per Spotrac.
Hughes initially signed an entry-level deal for three years with the Devils in 2019. This contract was valued at $11,325,000, featuring a signing bonus of $277,500 and an average salary of $3,775,000 as per Spotrac.
| Year Range | Contract Type | Team | Term | Total Value | Average Annual Salary | Signing Bonus | Additional Notes |
| 2019-2021 | Rookie Contract | New Jersey Devils | 3 years | $11,325,000 | $3,775,000 | $277,500 | Entry-level contract. |
| 2022-2029 | Extension | New Jersey Devils | 8 years | $64,000,000 | $8,000,000 | $2,000,000 | Includes 10-team no-trade list (2026-2029). |
FAQ's on current Jack Hughes contract
A. There are three Hughes brothers in he NHl named Quinn Hughes, Jack Hughes, and Luke Hughes.
A. Jack Hughes's professional career in the National Hockey League began when he was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the NHL draft of 2019.
A. Jack Hughes played two seasons at U.S. National Development Team and his collegiate hockey career is not widely known.
A. Jack Hughes was born in Orlando, Florida, on May 14, 2001. He is 22 years old as of 2023.
A. Jack Hughes’s annual salary with the New Jersey Devils is around $8 million.
