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Forums :: Blog World :: Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils sign Jack Hughes to entry-level contract
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Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 09.05.2011

Jul 12 @ 10:39 AM ET
Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils sign Jack Hughes to entry-level contract
devils2929
New Jersey Devils
Location: MD
Joined: 03.11.2013

Jul 12 @ 10:43 AM ET
Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils sign Jack Hughes to entry-level contract
- Todd.Cordell

Cant wait to hear Oil90's analysis of this contract
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Jul 12 @ 10:49 AM ET
It would be nice if Ray had learned from last year and actually signed some quality free agents. Dzingle just went to Carolina on a fairly reasonable contract and the Devils are again assuming guys are going to step up.

Slotting Hughes in at 2C and then assuming Boqvist with zero NHL experience is now magically a 2 line winger seems so short sighted. Why is this team always run like a small market team? Prudential makes a ton of money.

Every year we hear the same garbage; when it's time to spend we will spend... Half assing this off season could end up costing us Tayor Hall.
lassetjus
Joined: 06.19.2016

Jul 12 @ 10:52 AM ET
It would be nice if Ray had learned from last year and actually signed some quality free agents. Dzingle just went to Carolina on a fairly reasonable contract and the Devils are again assuming guys are going to step up.

Slotting Hughes in at 2C and then assuming Boqvist with zero NHL experience is now magically a 2 line winger seems so short sighted. Why is this team always run like a small market team? Prudential makes a ton of money.

Every year we hear the same garbage; when it's time to spend we will spend... Half assing this off season could end up costing us Tayor Hall.

- Queenie_5_hole


They aren't assuming Boqvist is a 2nd liner right away. That's why they signed Simmonds for 1 year. The 2nd line could be Bratt-Hughes-Simmonds
bigjersey3
New Jersey Devils
Location: Jackson, NJ
Joined: 09.30.2013

Jul 12 @ 10:55 AM ET
Cant wait to hear Oil90's analysis of this contract

That guy is a turbo. Let him comment away. Ignore his stupidity.
vlongo4419
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 07.31.2013

Jul 12 @ 11:06 AM ET
It would be nice if Ray had learned from last year and actually signed some quality free agents. Dzingle just went to Carolina on a fairly reasonable contract and the Devils are again assuming guys are going to step up.

Slotting Hughes in at 2C and then assuming Boqvist with zero NHL experience is now magically a 2 line winger seems so short sighted. Why is this team always run like a small market team? Prudential makes a ton of money.

Every year we hear the same garbage; when it's time to spend we will spend... Half assing this off season could end up costing us Tayor Hall.

- Queenie_5_hole


You realize players need to want to sign a contract to play with us right? And you're complaining about Dzingel? He was the most overrated player on the market, the guy is possession nightmare and gets caved in on a nightly basis and only put up points when he was getting top line minutes in Ottawa. He went to a good team in Columbus and was essentially benched during their playoff run and dropped to the 4th line because he was invisible. On a good team he's barely a top 6 winger, he's more of a 3rd line guy at best. I'd rather Simmonds on 1 year over Dzingel on multiple, he was a guy i was hoping we'd avoid from the start tbh. Also, Boqvist will not be on the 2nd line right away, that'll likely be Bratt and Simmonds. If he wants to get into the top 6 he'll need to earn it. Did you also forget we traded for Subban? Thats what i call spending money when the time was right. Shero sits on his hands, people complain. Shero makes moves and upgrades the team, people still complain that its not enough. It seems people will complain any chance they get no matter what happens.
Cmor11794
New Jersey Devils
Location: Short Hills, NJ
Joined: 01.07.2014

Jul 12 @ 11:29 AM ET
You realize players need to want to sign a contract to play with us right? And you're complaining about Dzingel? He was the most overrated player on the market, the guy is possession nightmare and gets caved in on a nightly basis and only put up points when he was getting top line minutes in Ottawa. He went to a good team in Columbus and was essentially benched during their playoff run and dropped to the 4th line because he was invisible. On a good team he's barely a top 6 winger, he's more of a 3rd line guy at best. I'd rather Simmonds on 1 year over Dzingel on multiple, he was a guy i was hoping we'd avoid from the start tbh. Also, Boqvist will not be on the 2nd line right away, that'll likely be Bratt and Simmonds. If he wants to get into the top 6 he'll need to earn it. Did you also forget we traded for Subban? Thats what i call spending money when the time was right. Shero sits on his hands, people complain. Shero makes moves and upgrades the team, people still complain that its not enough. It seems people will complain any chance they get no matter what happens.
- vlongo4419


I think his comment was less about Dzingel and more about the general point that we are never in on these guys who could undoubtedly help the team that end up signing elsewhere on reasonable deals. And he's right, the Dzingel signing is yet another example of it. Ray clearly wants to work with what we have, and he may be right, but I am hard pressed to find a guy looking for a regular spot on this team (the Mcleods, Andersons etc. or the world), that to date has shown they are going to become a meaningful contributor.
MartysBetter88
New Jersey Devils
Location: 94Nevermore, NJ
Joined: 07.01.2010

Jul 12 @ 11:33 AM ET
They aren't assuming Boqvist is a 2nd liner right away. That's why they signed Simmonds for 1 year. The 2nd line could be Bratt-Hughes-Simmonds
- lassetjus

stop it
vlongo4419
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 07.31.2013

Jul 12 @ 11:40 AM ET
I think his comment was less about Dzingel and more about the general point that we are never in on these guys who could undoubtedly help the team that end up signing elsewhere on reasonable deals. And he's right, the Dzingel signing is yet another example of it. Ray clearly wants to work with what we have, and he may be right, but I am hard pressed to find a guy looking for a regular spot on this team (the Mcleods, Andersons etc. or the world), that to date has shown they are going to become a meaningful contributor.
- Cmor11794


His comment doesnt make sense though, theres more to adding to our team than free agency. Are people forgetting we traded for Subban for peanuts? That was only possible because of our cap space. People just complain to complain, thats all i get from this. We pretty much only have one spot on the team open, and thats 4th line RW, the rest of the roster is pretty much full unless we bring in a top 6 forward to move Simmonds down. Who on the open market besides Panarin/Duchene were legit top 6 forwards? The answer is nobody. Lee? No way in hell he's worth that contract. Ferland and Dzingel are 3rd line players, as is Simmonds. I'd take Simmonds at 1 year over the other 2 with term. Guess what, us signing another mediocre 3rd line player wont make Hall decide to stay or leave. And signing players just to sign players and spend money will do more harm than good. Like i said, Ray does absolutely nothing(last offseason) and people complain. Ray makes use of our cap and is active and brings in multiple pieces(this offseason) to make our team better and people still complain
slesko
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 06.30.2016

Jul 12 @ 11:44 AM ET
Hughes and Ray are absolute beauties
dmarsden2988
New Jersey Devils
Location: stafford is about equal to rya, NJ
Joined: 03.07.2011

Jul 12 @ 12:04 PM ET
People have pointed out that they noticed Shero has an individual folder just for Hall on his desk, noticed during the hughes signing

Slow off-season day
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Jul 12 @ 12:04 PM ET
You realize players need to want to sign a contract to play with us right? And you're complaining about Dzingel? He was the most overrated player on the market, the guy is possession nightmare and gets caved in on a nightly basis and only put up points when he was getting top line minutes in Ottawa. He went to a good team in Columbus and was essentially benched during their playoff run and dropped to the 4th line because he was invisible. On a good team he's barely a top 6 winger, he's more of a 3rd line guy at best. I'd rather Simmonds on 1 year over Dzingel on multiple, he was a guy i was hoping we'd avoid from the start tbh. Also, Boqvist will not be on the 2nd line right away, that'll likely be Bratt and Simmonds. If he wants to get into the top 6 he'll need to earn it. Did you also forget we traded for Subban? Thats what i call spending money when the time was right. Shero sits on his hands, people complain. Shero makes moves and upgrades the team, people still complain that its not enough. It seems people will complain any chance they get no matter what happens.
- vlongo4419



Yeah, we couldn't compete with the prestigious hockey destination that is Raleigh, North Carolina. I'm sure Dzingle has had a ton of teams offering him the term and money he signed for but he found that the most attractive destination. Perhaps because it reminded him of playing in Columbus, Ohio and he likes being (frank)ing nowhere.

You realize players like money and term, right? I mean we aren't talking about Panarin here. We are talking about second tier guys who have now been sitting around for almost two weeks since free agency started.

This isn't random complaining. This team obviously needs a legit 2nd line winger. This team obviously had horrific depth problems last year. Ray Shero himself stated he regretted not being more active in free agency the year before because he relied to much on players stepping up... and here we are in potentially the same place.

Yes, the defense is significantly improved with Subban. Simmonds *might* be a real help depending on how he can perform after two down seasons. Hughes is a great talent but an 18 year old kid with zero NHL experience. Why not pick up some legit depth? Why not use the cap space for some potential help and trade chips? Why not do more?
justTHEtip1220
New Jersey Devils
Location: NJ
Joined: 05.18.2018

Jul 12 @ 12:13 PM ET
Hughes and Ray are absolute beauties
- slesko


Weren't you on team Kakko? Remember you saying something along the lines of "I'd take Kakko over Hughes since there's a more likely chance of him resigning since he has no affiliations with the US, while Hughes could go sign with his hometown team"
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Jul 12 @ 12:15 PM ET
His comment doesnt make sense though, theres more to adding to our team than free agency. Are people forgetting we traded for Subban for peanuts? That was only possible because of our cap space. People just complain to complain, thats all i get from this. We pretty much only have one spot on the team open, and thats 4th line RW, the rest of the roster is pretty much full unless we bring in a top 6 forward to move Simmonds down. Who on the open market besides Panarin/Duchene were legit top 6 forwards? The answer is nobody. Lee? No way in hell he's worth that contract. Ferland and Dzingel are 3rd line players, as is Simmonds. I'd take Simmonds at 1 year over the other 2 with term. Guess what, us signing another mediocre 3rd line player wont make Hall decide to stay or leave. And signing players just to sign players and spend money will do more harm than good. Like i said, Ray does absolutely nothing(last offseason) and people complain. Ray makes use of our cap and is active and brings in multiple pieces(this offseason) to make our team better and people still complain
- vlongo4419


So other then the guys who would have helped who we didn't go after and eliminating people you don't want to spend money on... and assuming we couldn't do a trade for another top 6 player then yeah doing nothing is brilliant.

Michael Ferland wouldn't help this team. Jake Gardiner wouldn't help this team. Jeff Skinner wouldn't help this team. Joe Pavelski wouldn't help this team. Joonis Donskoi wouldn't help this team. Brandone Pirri, Anthony Duclair, Gustav Nyquist, Mats Zucarello, or Corey Perry wouldn't help this team.
vlongo4419
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 07.31.2013

Jul 12 @ 12:24 PM ET
Yeah, we couldn't compete with the prestigious hockey destination that is Raleigh, North Carolina. I'm sure Dzingle has had a ton of teams offering him the term and money he signed for but he found that the most attractive destination. Perhaps because it reminded him of playing in Columbus, Ohio and he likes being (frank)ing nowhere.

You realize players like money and term, right? I mean we aren't talking about Panarin here. We are talking about second tier guys who have now been sitting around for almost two weeks since free agency started.

This isn't random complaining. This team obviously needs a legit 2nd line winger. This team obviously had horrific depth problems last year. Ray Shero himself stated he regretted not being more active in free agency the year before because he relied to much on players stepping up... and here we are in potentially the same place.

Yes, the defense is significantly improved with Subban. Simmonds *might* be a real help depending on how he can perform after two down seasons. Hughes is a great talent but an 18 year old kid with zero NHL experience. Why not pick up some legit depth? Why not use the cap space for some potential help and trade chips? Why not do more?

- Queenie_5_hole


Thats the point, lots of teams backed away from him because his initial terms that he wanted were 5M+ per with term, why do you think it took him so long to sign? Because nobody wanted him at his asking price, and he finally caved and took a lot less than what he thought he was worth.

We're nowhere near where we were last off-season, how the hell can you even compare the two and state that they're potentially the same? Lol that's just laughable to even say. Adding our own draft picks to the team like Hughes, Boqvist, and Smith already gives us way more depth and competition alone, not even including bringing in Simmonds and Subban.

We have enough competition in the bottom 6 and dont need to be spending anymore money bringing guys in for that role, which guys like Dzingel and Ferland is, its a waste of money. We absolutely need another top 6 forward, which we were NEVER getting from free agency. You dont just spend money to spend money and sign players that dont deserve it. This has been a fantastic off-season for us. Outside of the Rangers nobody has had a better off-season, and yet here we are, people still complaining and wanting more from an underwhelming free agent class for no reason
vlongo4419
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 07.31.2013

Jul 12 @ 12:30 PM ET
So other then the guys who would have helped who we after and eliminating people you don't want to spend money on... and assuming we couldn't do a trade for another top 6 player then yeah doing nothing is brilliant.

Michael Ferland wouldn't help this team. Jake Gardiner wouldn't help this team. Jeff Skinner wouldn't help this team. Joe Pavelski wouldn't help this team. Joonis Donskoi wouldn't help this team. Brandone Pirri, Anthony Duclair, Gustav Nyquist, Mats Zucarello, or Corey Perry wouldn't help this team.

- Queenie_5_hole


I mean Skinner didn't even get to free agency, so why is he even on this list? I did want Nyquist, he would've been a nice add. But outside of him im a pass on everybody else. The Zucc contract is terrible, both term and money, so pass. Ferland stated multiple times that he wanted to be in Western Canada, and 4 years for a serious injury/concussion concerned 3rd liner? Pass again. Pavelski wanted to go to a team he thought was a serious contender and was only going to Dallas or Tampa, so we didnt have a chance. Gardiner is still available and i wouldnt mind him, but he's waiting to see if he can stay with the Leafs for cheap because he doesnt want to leave. Get out of here with Pirri and Duclair, they're both terrible. We have our own redemption project in Simmonds, so why sign Perry too. You're literally at the point where you're just throwing money at players just to sign someone for the sake of signing someone, this is exactly what im talking about.
Cmor11794
New Jersey Devils
Location: Short Hills, NJ
Joined: 01.07.2014

Jul 12 @ 12:31 PM ET
Thats the point, lots of teams backed away from him because his initial terms that he wanted were 5M+ per with term, why do you think it took him so long to sign? Because nobody wanted him at his asking price, and he finally caved and took a lot less than what he thought he was worth.

We're nowhere near where we were last off-season, how the hell can you even compare the two and state that they're potentially the same? Lol that's just laughable to even say. Adding our own draft picks to the team like Hughes, Boqvist, and Smith already gives us way more depth and competition alone, not even including bringing in Simmonds and Subban.

We have enough competition in the bottom 6 and dont need to be spending anymore money bringing guys in for that role, which guys like Dzingel and Ferland is, its a waste of money. We absolutely need another top 6 forward, which we were NEVER getting from free agency. You dont just spend money to spend money and sign players that dont deserve it. This has been a fantastic off-season for us. Outside of the Rangers nobody has had a better off-season, and yet here we are, people still complaining and wanting more from an underwhelming free agent class for no reason

- vlongo4419


I don't think anyone is saying that Ray hasn't made the team leaps and bounds better from where they were two years ago. I think the point is that depth on this team has been a problem for years, and it continues to be a question. This is now year three where they are expecting some combination of young guys or guys with "potential" to step up and fill these holes. Hopefully third times the charm but again, Has McLeod, Anderson, Speers, Quenneville (rip), or any of the names that are always batted around shown that they can be anything else than a rotational player? I really don't think we can say that the team is better served constantly plugging these guys in than filling the spot with an established NHL guy on a reasonable contract. Dzingel, Ferland, Nyquist, even bringing Johannson back all would have helped this team and wouldnt kill them cap wise down the road.
vlongo4419
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 07.31.2013

Jul 12 @ 12:35 PM ET
I don't think anyone is saying that Ray hasn't made the team leaps and bounds better from where they were two years ago. I think the point is that depth on this team has been a problem for years, and it continues to be a question. This is now year three where they are expecting some combination of young guys or guys with "potential" to step up and fill these holes. Hopefully third times the charm but again, Has McLeod, Anderson, Speers, Quenneville (rip), or any of the names that are always batted around shown that they can be anything else than a rotational player? I really don't think we can say that the team is better served constantly plugging these guys in than filling the spot with an established NHL guy on a reasonable contract. Dzingel, Ferland, Nyquist, even bringing Johannson back all would have helped this team and wouldnt kill them cap wise down the road.
- Cmor11794


Well the other guy says different, apparently last off-season and this one are comparable and we're "in the same place" which is just completely untrue, considering one offseason we did absolutely nothing and just lost players off the roster compared to this one where we added several players through prospects, trade, and free agency. We're potentially adding FIVE or SIX new players to our lineup/depth, while losing nobody. Its not even close to being the same. Its really just complaining to complain at this point.
bikeguy99
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 09.05.2017

Jul 12 @ 12:54 PM ET
Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils sign Jack Hughes to entry-level contract
- Todd.Cordell


Another great off-season with lots going right for the Devs. Hopefully Chevy can get a true top 6 winger before the season starts, but even without, he gets an A on his summer report card.
bikeguy99
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 09.05.2017

Jul 12 @ 1:00 PM ET
It would be nice if Ray had learned from last year and actually signed some quality free agents. Dzingle just went to Carolina on a fairly reasonable contract and the Devils are again assuming guys are going to step up.

Slotting Hughes in at 2C and then assuming Boqvist with zero NHL experience is now magically a 2 line winger seems so short sighted. Why is this team always run like a small market team? Prudential makes a ton of money.

Every year we hear the same garbage; when it's time to spend we will spend... Half assing this off season could end up costing us Tayor Hall.

- Queenie_5_hole


Seriously? Not sure if you have watched the past #1 draft picks, but most seem to fit into the top 6, some even dominate as rookies. Hughes as our #2 C is the right move, with Zajac there to back him up if he needs reduced minutes.

I have my doubts about Bo starting in the top 6 as well. I was hoping we could have landed Mojo for one more season, as he was more than capable when healthy. However, we did add Simmonds, and Coleman can certainly take some TOI away from Bo if he is not ready for it.

As for Hall, we have a Hart Trophy winning point producing machine that we can still trade for a queens ransom. Life is good, relax and watch Hughes take to the ice before you doubt his capabilities.
bikeguy99
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 09.05.2017

Jul 12 @ 1:08 PM ET
I don't think anyone is saying that Ray hasn't made the team leaps and bounds better from where they were two years ago. I think the point is that depth on this team has been a problem for years, and it continues to be a question. This is now year three where they are expecting some combination of young guys or guys with "potential" to step up and fill these holes. Hopefully third times the charm but again, Has McLeod, Anderson, Speers, Quenneville (rip), or any of the names that are always batted around shown that they can be anything else than a rotational player? I really don't think we can say that the team is better served constantly plugging these guys in than filling the spot with an established NHL guy on a reasonable contract. Dzingel, Ferland, Nyquist, even bringing Johannson back all would have helped this team and wouldnt kill them cap wise down the road.
- Cmor11794



I think Ray HAS made this team leaps and bounds better!
How did we turn LJ into Carrick and a 3rd?
How did we trade KK for anything?
How did win another lottery landing a potential franchise player
How did we land the CHL defenseman of the year with our 17th overall selection?
How did we PK for pennies on the dollar?
Why is Severson so cap friendly?
What bad contracts do we have under Ray?

These are all moves that drastically improved our squad. Yes he could have panicked, and overpaid for UFA talent two years ago, making us a fringe playoff team. But instead he developed our players, won the draft lottery, and made us a very young, talented, affordable team. Ray is doing great. Just look at what Lou is doing in NYI...... Yikes
shvingter88
New Jersey Devils
Location: Puljujarvi makes draisitil and mcdavid better, CT
Joined: 10.12.2009

Jul 12 @ 2:27 PM ET
People have pointed out that they noticed Shero has an individual folder just for Hall on his desk, noticed during the hughes signing

Slow off-season day

- dmarsden2988

Potential trade options
rmdevil313
Edmonton Oilers
Location: Your a (frank)ing fag and I hope you get crippled- Cranny, MN
Joined: 01.05.2009

Jul 12 @ 2:27 PM ET
So other then the guys who would have helped who we after and eliminating people you don't want to spend money on... and assuming we couldn't do a trade for another top 6 player then yeah doing nothing is brilliant.

Michael Ferland wouldn't help this team. Jake Gardiner wouldn't help this team. Jeff Skinner wouldn't help this team. Joe Pavelski wouldn't help this team. Joonis Donskoi wouldn't help this team. Brandone Pirri, Anthony Duclair, Gustav Nyquist, Mats Zucarello, or Corey Perry wouldn't help this team.

- Queenie_5_hole


Here is the statline for the 6th highest scoring forward on St Louis and Boston:

11-23-34 .44 ppg
11-25-36 .52

Zajac outproduced both and Coleman was right between the two and they will almost certainly start on our 3rd line. Could Ferland and Dzingel have improved the team? Sure, in the short term. But its not like we don't have any other options. Zacha had .41 ppg and could possibly improve that, scouts and writers have been hyping boqvist up as an NHL ready prospect, Simmonds was a top 6 player up until he got traded to nashville last season. Its not the end of the world that we didn't land one of the ufas and not even the end of the offseason. Its way too early to be hitting the doomed button.
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Jul 12 @ 3:38 PM ET
Well the other guy says different, apparently last off-season and this one are comparable and we're "in the same place" which is just completely untrue, considering one offseason we did absolutely nothing and just lost players off the roster compared to this one where we added several players through prospects, trade, and free agency. We're potentially adding FIVE or SIX new players to our lineup/depth, while losing nobody. Its not even close to being the same. Its really just complaining to complain at this point.
- vlongo4419




Really? We didn't lose MoJo, Boyle and Lovejoy - which is probably a push/win with Carrick. We didn't lose Noesen and Agastino; which isn't a huge deal but you know accuracy counts.

Did we need a legit 2nd line winger last year? (frank) yes and the solution was Drew Stafford. This year it's Wayne Simmond who might not even be a top 6 guy anymore.

Adding PK is certainly an improvement over last year but doesn't address the same problem with the 2nd line winger or our forward depth. How many of Five or SIX guys we are adding are NHL regulars? Because that's the same (frank)ing problem.
CardiffGiant
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 04.05.2018

Jul 12 @ 3:39 PM ET
Anyone else worried that Hughes isn't going to sign a contract extension 10 years from now?
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