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Jack Hughes Ranked No. 1 NHL Contract by The Athletic

Dom Luszczyszyn, NHL analyst for The Athletic (a New York Times publication), recently ranked the best contracts across the NHL. From Leon Draisaitl’s eight-year, $14 million AAV deal (ranked 6th) to Brandon Hagel’s seven-year, $6.5 million AAV contract (ranked 2nd), some of the league’s biggest stars made the list.

But the top spot? That belongs to Jack Hughes.

That’s right, New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes holds the most valuable contract in the NHL, according to Luszczyszyn’s analysis.

Hughes is currently on an eight-year, $64 million contract signed in 2022, with a projected surplus value of $38 million. Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald locked him into the deal early, and it’s already paying off in a big way. Now entering the fourth year of the contract, Hughes is signed through the 2029–30 season, when he will hit unrestricted free agency at 29 years old.

Originally drafted first overall by the Devils in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Hughes signed his entry-level contract that same year, a three-year, $2.78 million deal. Since then, he’s quickly become the face of the franchise, earning the love of the fanbase both on and off the ice.

There was never any doubt that Fitzgerald would keep Hughes long-term. At just an $8 million annual cap hit, his contract stands out as one of the best bargains in the league, especially considering his production and leadership.

To date, Hughes has played 368 NHL games, recording 141 goals, 210 assists, and 351 points. Last season, he put up 70 points in 62 games before being sidelined by injury. Injuries have been a challenge, shoulder surgeries have cut two of his seasons short,  but at only 24 years old, Hughes continues to trend upward.

Despite the injury concerns, his contract still offers unmatched value. As Luszczyszyn pointed out, the Devils are winning the NHL contract game, and with five years still remaining on the deal, the payoff is far from over.

Hughes continues to be the centerpiece of New Jersey’s resurgence. His performance is elite, his price tag modest, and his impact immeasurable.

Now, the focus shifts to his younger brother, Luke Hughes, who is expected to sign a new deal with the Devils any day. And with Jack’s contract setting the gold standard, fans are hopeful that Luke’s will follow a similar path, both in value and long-term potential.


Photo Credit:© Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

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Projecting Sabres Trade Cost – Evan Rodrigues

The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but the opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed earlier this month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. 

Evan Rodrigues is a player who could be on the move, not because of his value to the Florida Panthers, but because they may not be able to be able to get under the salary cap after re-signing center Sam Bennett, winger Brad Marchand, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad. The Panthers are currently nearly $4 million over the cap, but the health status of Matthew Tkachuk to start the season may give GM Bill Zito a bit of a reprieve. 

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Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Bryan Rust

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

The Toronto native was a teammate of Jack Eichel at Boston University when he signed with the Sabres as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He had limited success in Buffalo over four seasons before being traded by GM Jason Botterill to Pittsburgh just before the COVID shutdown. With the Penguins, Colorado, and in two years with Florida, the 32-year-old has averaged over 15 goals a season, and was a key performer for the Panthers in consecutive Cup victories.  

What Would It Cost?

With Zito’s cap issues and the fact that Florida is light on draft capital the next two seasons, the Panthers could be looking for a high draft pick or a prospect on their entry-level deal who could play in the AHL and come up at some point over the next year or two. A youngster like Josh Doan or Noah Ostlund would fit that criteria. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

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Now 29, Dylan Larkin Hungrier Than Ever For Red Wings Playoff Hockey

There were few members of the Detroit Red Wings who were more disappointed in missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the ninth consecutive season than team captain Dylan Larkin.

After all, Larkin is the only player on the current roster who was a member of Detroit's most recent playoff team. That took place in the 2015-16 campaign, his rookie season. 

Since then, the Red Wings embarked on a difficult rebuilding process which included the trying 2019-20 season in which they posted the NHL's worst record since the 1999-2000 expansion Atlanta Thrashers. 

Since then, the Red Wings have made progress under the tutelage of beloved former captain Steve Yzerman, now serving as the club's general manager. Although they came within a point of securing a playoff spot in 2024, ultimately losing out thanks to a tie-breaker, the 2024–25 season was the first time in the last five years that they failed to improve their point total from the previous campaign. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Larkin celebrates his 29th birthday today, and there's nothing that he wants more than to have his first postseason hockey experience by the time he celebrates his 30th birthday one year from now.

 

"It’s been difficult," Larkin said on Detroit's locker room clean-out day in late April. "I think about it every day for a long time during days, just bounce back and forth. But that doesn’t do you any good; you have to go out and win hockey games, and we came up about four or five wins short this year."

The month of March has been a difficult one for the Red Wings in the last three seasons, during each of which the team endured a prolonged losing skid that ultimately doomed their postseason chances. 

"It’s frustrating to go through it again and sit here outside the playoffs," Larkin said. "March was definitely not a good month for us and defined our season, unfortunately." 

Larkin has been nothing short of a good soldier for the Red Wings, having continued to proudly don the Winged Wheel and the captain's "C" on his jersey during some of the more challenging seasons for Detroit in recent memory. 

Not only does he want the thrill of playoff hockey action at Little Caesars Arena for what would be the first time in the venue's history, but for the Red Wings to take their place back in the upper echelons of the NHL and become yearly contenders for the Stanley Cup. 

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Rangers see off wasteful Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifier

  • Rangers draw 1-1 in Athens to win 3-1 on aggregate

  • Shelbourne into Europa League after Qarabag defeat

Djeidi Gassama turned super-sub once again with a crucial goal as Rangers beat profligate Panathinaikos 3-1 on aggregate in their Champions League second qualifier in Athens.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg at Ibrox, only another fine performance in the Olympic stadium from Rangers’ goalkeeper Jack Butland, who thwarted the Greek side in the first leg, kept the tie goalless at the break. Filip Djuricic opened the scoring with a header in the 53rd minute but moments after coming off the bench, Gassama, who scored from a substitute’s role on his debut last week, levelled at 1-1 with a stunning drive.

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Mets slugger Juan Soto out of lineup a day after fouling a ball off his left foot

SAN DIEGO — Mets slugger Juan Soto wasn’t in New York’s lineup on Wednesday for a series finale against the San Diego Padres after fouling a ball off the top of his left foot a night earlier.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Soto was “better but still sore. Getting treatment. We’ll see where we’re at. He hasn’t done anything. He’s in the training room. Hopefully he gets in the cages and see if he’s available or not for the game. A little bit better.”

Jeff McNeil was in the lineup in right field as the NL East-leading Mets tried to avoid being swept.

The team announced that Soto had a bruised foot and that X-rays were negative.

Soto appeared to be in considerable pain after fouling a ball off his foot in the fourth inning of a 7-1 loss. He hopped down the first base line on his right foot and then crouched down. He was checked by an athletic trainer, took a few swings and then finished his at-bat, grounding out to second baseman Jake Cronenworth, who made a nice diving stop.

Soto was then lifted from the game.

He’s hitting .248 with 25 homers and 62 RBIs.

Soto joined the Mets in December when he signed the biggest contract in baseball history, a $765 million, 15-year deal.

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Flyers' Spencer Gill Will Be Way Better Than You Think

Flyers prospect Spencer Gill is continuing to improve as one of the youngest players in his draft class. (Photo: Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)

Spencer Gill is one Philadelphia Flyers prospect who doesn't draw nearly as much fanfare as he should, and that's not his fault.

Gill, 18, is not one to play a flashy game. The 6-foot-4 defenseman is quietly developing into one of the Flyers' best prospects in real time, even if he'll never be the type of player that puts up crazy numbers of points like Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar.

Instead, the 2024 second-round pick has been rounding out his defensive game and overall two-way game, which bodes well for his NHL future.

See, Gill, when he was drafted, was considered more of a project pick due to his large but wiry frame (only 180 pounds) and evident offensive talents. The then-Rimouski Oceanic blueliner was best regarded for his puck skills, mobility, and willingness to activate in the play, but not so much for his defense.

A little unusual for a guy that big, isn't it?

But, when I saw Gill play during rookie camp and training camp last year, he was physical, unrelenting, petulant defensively, and efficient using his stick to disrupt plays.

If and when Gill can tap into and hone his physicality and defensive play, he's a surefire top-four defenseman at the NHL level for the Flyers. And if he can bring 30 to 40 points to the table offensively, maybe a complementary top-pair player as well.

Why Flyers' Porter Martone Chose Michigan State, NCAAWhy Flyers' Porter Martone Chose Michigan State, NCAATop Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone has been praised a ton for his move to the NCAA with Michigan State University, but nobody fully knew why he made that decision. Until now.

Some were surprised when I ranked Gill ahead of Oliver Bonk, the Flyers' second 2023 first-round pick after Matvei Michkov, in my end-of-season Flyers prospect rankings.

For me, the rationale is simple: I feel Gill is better suited for the role the two defenders will play at the NHL level than Bonk. And that's not to say Bonk won't excel, because he has his own unique skillset.

But, part of Bonk's skillset will, presumably, be erased when he no longer plays the bumper position on the power play.

That's a big reason as to why the 20-year-old went from 24 goals 67 points in 60 games last year to 11 goals and 40 points in 52 games this year.

It remains to be seen if the Flyers or Lehigh Valley Phantoms allow Bonk to reprise that role, but if not, he's likely to be a second- or third-pairing defenseman with some offensive upside and the potential to fill in higher in the lineup if and when needed.

Gill, on the other hand, is bigger, more athletic, and has produced at roughly the same level despite not having a featured power play role on one of the best teams in the entire CHL.

Flyers' Nikita Grebenkin Receives Mystery Advice from Alexander Ovechkin Ahead of NHL PushFlyers' Nikita Grebenkin Receives Mystery Advice from Alexander Ovechkin Ahead of NHL PushNikita Grebenkin is gearing up for his push to make the Philadelphia Flyers out of training camp this fall, and he's gotten some advice from Washington Capitals star and NHL legend Alexander Ovechkin on how to do it.

Now, the 18-year-old will head into what will be his last season in the QMJHL with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, the team to which he was only recently traded to, playing alongside top 2025 draft picks Bill Zonnon, Justin Carbonneau, and Arseni Radkov.

And, after suffering a broken ankle last season, Gill is beginning to create some momentum for himself leading into the new season.

In the Canada Red vs. Canada White intra-squad scrimmage at the World Junior Summer Showcase, Gill scored a nice long-range goal, taking a D-to-D pass, walking the line neatly, and firing a screened shot into the top right corner from the point.

Manipulating shooting lanes and getting shots in through them are skills that will translate to the NHL level, especially with how the Flyers have liked to play in recent years.

Spencer Gill is a way better prospect than you think, and soon, you'll be hearing his name from the Flyers as a candidate to make the NHL roster.

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Phillies fans go crazy on social media after Jhoan Duran trade

Phillies fans go crazy on social media after Jhoan Duran trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Phillies fans have been on pins and needles for the last week, anxious that the front office will fall short of meeting the goal of adding back-end bullpen help before the MLB trade deadline.

But Wednesday afternoon, multiple reports surfaced that the Phils had indeed made that big move, sending two top 100 prospects in catcher Eduardo Tait and pitcher Mick Abel to the Twins for Uber-closer Jhoan Duran.

The reaction from the Phillies faithful was … pretty much over the moon.

You said everything, Kratzie. This is big. Let’s go.

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Phillies fans go crazy on social media after Jhoan Duran trade

Phillies fans go crazy on social media after Jhoan Duran trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Phillies fans have been on pins and needles for the last week, anxious that the front office will fall short of meeting the goal of adding back-end bullpen help before the MLB trade deadline.

But Wednesday afternoon, multiple reports surfaced that the Phils had indeed made that big move, sending two top 100 prospects in catcher Eduardo Tait and pitcher Mick Abel to the Twins for Uber-closer Jhoan Duran.

The reaction from the Phillies faithful was … pretty much over the moon.

You said everything, Kratzie. This is big. Let’s go.

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Report: Pirates sending 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes to Reds for reliever Rogers, prospect Stafura

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are trading Gold Glove-winning third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to Cincinnati for veteran reliever Taylor Rogers and shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade was not official.

The swap gives the Reds an elite defender at the hot corner with a manageable contract. The 28-year-old Hayes, a Gold Glove winner in 2023, has five-plus years left on the extension he signed with Pittsburgh in 2022 and will make $7 million in 2026 and 2027, $8 million in 2028 and 2029 before rising to $12 million in 2030.

Hayes, the son of former major leaguer Charlie Hayes and a first-round draft pick by the Pirates in 2015, has struggled to find consistency at the plate since his splashy debut during the final month of the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020. He hit .376 with five homers in 24 games immediately after being called up, numbers that he didn’t come close to matching while playing a full 162-game schedule.

Hayes is hitting .236 with two home runs and 36 RBIs this season for the Pirates, who sit in last place in the NL Central thanks largely to an offense that ranks near the bottom or at the bottom in the majors in most significant statistical categories.

The Pirates have several internal option to replace Hayes in the short-term, including Jared Triolo, who won a Gold Glove as a utility infielder in 2024.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Pittsburgh’s everyday shortstop this season, moved over to third for the Pirates’ series-finale against San Francisco on Thursday.

Rogers remains an effective left-handed option out of the bullpen at 34. The 10-year veteran, an All-Star with Minnesota in 2021, is 2-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 40 appearances with the Reds this season.

Stafura, 20, was a second-round pick by Cincinnati in 2023. He is hitting .262 with four home runs and 48 RBIs in 88 games with Class A Daytona this season.

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Mets trading for Giants reliever Tyler Rogers

The Mets are trading for Giants right-handed reliever Tyler Rogers, per multiple reports.

In exchange for Rogers, the Mets are sending right-handed pitcher Blade Tidwell, outfielder Drew Gilbert, and right-handed relieverJose Buttoto San Francisco.

A submariner with one of the nastiest sinkers in baseball, the 34-year-old Rogers has been dominant this season.

In 50.0 innings across 53 games, Rogers has a 1.80 ERA (2.60 FIP) and 0.86 WHIP with 38 strikeouts.

Rogers, who is a free agent after the season, has been one of the best and most reliable relievers in baseball since making his debut in 2019.

His advanced stats this season are incredibly impressive, including his barrel percentage (100th percentile), xERA (99th percentile), average exit velocity (99th percentile), walk percentage (99th percentile), ground ball percentage (99th percentile), and hard hit percentage (94th percentile).

Over seven seasons -- all with San Francisco -- he has a 2.79 ERA (3.31 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP in 396.2 innings.

Rogers is the second late-inning reliever the Mets have acquired in the last week -- following their acquisition of Orioles left-handerGregory Soto.

With Rogers and Soto now on board, the Mets have seriously strengthened the bridge to closer Edwin Diaz. In addition to Rogers and Soto, Reed Garrett, Ryne Stanek, and Brooks Raley will all be counted on to contribute in the late innings down the stretch and into October.

As far as the package the Mets parted with to obtain Rogers, it was a big one.

However, two of the players New York is sending to San Francisco were a bit superfluous given how their farm system and big league team is shaking out.

Tidwell, who debuted earlier this season, could possibly stick in someone's big league rotation. But he was behind fellow pitching prospects Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong when it came to upside.

Meanwhile, Gilbert -- who was having a strong season for Triple-A Syracuse -- was possibly blocked at the big league level when it came to New York's long-term plans. The Mets have Juan Soto and Brandon Nimmo entrenched in the corner outfield spots, plus prospects Jett Williams and Carson Benge in Double-A and likely to be ready at some point in 2026.

Butto, who posted a 2.55 ERA for the Mets last season, had struggled badly lately, including an outing on Tuesday night where he allowed five runs in just 1.2 innings. For the season, he had a 3.64 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 47.0 innings over 34 games.

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Former Blackhawks Goalie Is Now Secure With His New Hockey Home

Once upon a time, the Chicago Blackhawks employed goaltender Kevin Lankinen. During those years, Chicago was trying to avoid a rebuild, so the patience to let him develop wasn’t where it needed to be. 

After a couple of years with the Nashville Predators, Lankinen ended up with the Vancouver Canucks in 2024-25. Since landing there, things have been going great for him. 

Lankinen played in 51 games for the Canucks. The season started with their perceived number one, Thatcher Demko, on the shelf. Lankinen took over as the starter and played well. He went 25-15-10 with a 2.62 goals against average, .902 save percentage, and four shutouts. On a team loaded with off-ice drama, he played magnificently.

Demko came back and appeared in 23 games, but he wasn’t the high-end starter that he was used to being before his injury. In the process of it all, Lankinen was rewarded with a five-year $22.5 million contract. His average annual value is $4.5 million per year. 

Behind Lankinen (and Demko) on the depth chart used to be a great young goalie in Arturs Silovs, who has now been traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Between this trade and his contract extension, Lankinen can focus on hockey without worrying about his security in the NHL. 

After the success that Demko and Lankinen have had at different points in their career, why would Silovs being there make them uneasy?

Well, he was incredible for the Abbotsford Canucks en route to winning the Calder Cup last spring. Silovs was the MVP of the Playoffs for his efforts. With him out of the mix, the two veteran netminders can go about their business as usual without worrying about losing their jobs. 

Although the goaltending in Chicago has been shaky since Lankinen departed, they now seem to have it under control with three young goalies who they believe in. Spencer Knight is the plan as the long-term starter, while Arvid Soderblom and Drew Commesso battle it out for the backup role.

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Angels acquire relievers Chafin and García from Nationals in trade for lefty Eder, prospect Brown

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels have acquired relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García from the Washington Nationals in a trade for left-hander Jake Eder and minor league first baseman Sam Brown.

The Angels announced the deal to bolster their bullpen on Wednesday. Los Angeles also designated left-hander José Quijada for assignment to make room on its 40-man roster.

The 35-year-old Chafin joins his eighth major league team after going 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 26 appearances for Washington this season. Left-handed hitters are batting just .147 against him.

The 38-year-old García will begin his third stint with the Angels after playing for the club in 2019 and 2024. He made 28 appearances for the Dodgers to start the current season before joining the Nationals on July 8 and allowing just one run in 10 appearances of out Washington’s bullpen.

The Angels have one of the majors’ highest bullpen ERAs despite the presence of closer Kenley Jansen, who has 20 saves and a 2.93 ERA in another strong season.

Jansen is among several veteran Angels players who could have value on the trade market this week, making it unclear whether Los Angeles made this four-man trade to boost its chances for contention or to set it up for additional moves.

The Angels began Wednesday at 53-55 — only four games out of the final AL wild-card spot, but with four other teams above them in the standings.

Eder has a 4.91 ERA with 15 strikeouts in his eight major league relief appearances for the Angels, who acquired the former top prospect from the White Sox in March. He has been starting in the minor leagues.

Brown, the Angels’ 12th-round pick in 2023, has been playing at Double-A Rocket City.

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Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman sits against Twins to rest previously injured quad

MINNEAPOLIS — Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman sat out Boston’s game Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins to rest the right quadriceps he strained earlier this season.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora characterized the move as a precaution, with the third baseman expected back in the lineup Friday against Houston.

“I told him, in the morning, let me know how you feel,” Cora said. “He feels good with the quad, but a bit tired.”

Abraham Toro started in Bregman’s place Wednesday at Minnesota. With Boston off on Thursday, the move gives Bregman two days of rest.

Bregman strained the quad and missed seven weeks earlier in the season. The three-time All-Star is batting a career-best .298 with a .551 slugging percentage, .922 OPS, 44 RBI and 14 home runs in 64 games.

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Mets, Yankees involved in trade talks for Athletics closer Mason Miller: report

Athletics closer Mason Miller is one of the most intriguing names on the trade block, and it sounds like both the Mets and Yankees are involved.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the A’s have "focused on top-end young pitching" in exchange for Miller, but their asking price could prove to be too high, given that Miller is still just 24 years old and is under club control through the 2029 season.

Per Rosenthal, the Mets, Yankees, and Phillies have all talked to the A’s about Miller, with the A's asking for prized pitching prospect Andrew Painter from the Phillies.

While the Yankees are involved, the club is “more focused on adding pitching than subtracting it,” according to Rosenthal, while the Mets are “in the mix.”

Miller, a 6-foot-5 righty, is a flamethrower who boasts some of the best advanced pitching stats in the entire game, with an average fastball velocity of 101.1mph (100th percentile), an expected batting average of .180 (99th percentile), and a strikeout percentage of 39.1 percent (100 percentile).

In 38 games this season, Miller has posted a 3.76 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 38.1 innings.