This off-season, New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes was a restricted free agent. After wondering whether or not he would get a new contract, Hughes got his new contract to remain a Devil.
Yesterday, Hughes signed a seven-year, $63 million contract. That is a salary of $9 million per year. However, some may think that $9 million per year at 22 years old may be an overpay considering his contract is worth higher than his brothers Jack and Quinn.
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson will be battling Hughes in the Eastern Conference for many years down the road. Both have similar roots with being American defensemen, and both were teammates not too long ago at the 2024 IIHF World Championships for Team USA. However, with the newest contract signed by Hughes in New Jersey, it makes the Senators' contract with Sanderson look so much better.
Sanderson's contract is a bargain after seeing Hughes' new contract
At 23 years old, Sanderson has turned into one of the fastest rising defenseman in the NHL. While more talk may be around Hughes from fans today, fans will be remembering Sanderson's name more in the future if he keeps up his play.
Sanderson's career has been so far better than Hughes'. Sanderson has recorded 127 points in his career to Hughes' 93 points. Last season, Sanderson broke out with a career-high 57-point season. Hughes hasn't recorded a 50-point season in his career.
Sanderson is also making less money than Hughes per year. Sanderson has an $8.05 million salary per year until 2032. Meanwhile, Hughes' $9 million is more than Sanderson's salary, but it doesn't quite match Sanderson's production. What some may find shocking is Hughes is the highest paid Devil on the roster along with Dougie Hamilton, who also makes $9 million.
Along with not recording a 50-point season, Hughes has also never recorded a 40-assist season or 10-goal season. Sanderson has recorded back-to-back 10-goal seasons and recorded a career-high 46-assist season last year.
Sanderson averaged nearly 24:30 of ice time per game last season, while Hughes has never averaged over 22 minutes of ice time per game. Sanderson also recorded more special team points in his career than Hughes. Last season, Sanderson recorded 30 powerplay points to Hughes' 16 powerplay points.
In the 2025 playoffs, Hughes played just one game for the Devils in the first round against the Carolina Hurricanes after suffering a shoulder injury. For Sanderson, he had the biggest moment of his career in the 2025 playoffs when he scored an overtime goal in Game 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs to keep the Senators alive in the series. After his overtime goal, Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger couldn't resist but give Sanderson praise for his game.
While Hughes is one of the most popular players in the NHL with his brothers, Sanderson has become one of the most underappreciated players in the NHL. This past February, Sanderson got huge recognition by former Devil and Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban.
"The Ottawa Senators got a great one in this kid,"- P.K. Subban on Jake Sanderson
— Jake Ferraro (@18Jxxx18) February 21, 2025
Sanderson has a chance to be the Senators Team MVP in 2026 with the season he had in 2024-25. If Sanderson delivers another big season, he will be in Norris Trophy discussions in the future for many years.