Sunny Mehta isn’t losing sleep over Jack Hughes’ future with the New Jersey Devils.
In a recent conversation Mehta via Devils Rink Report, the Devils general manager addressed the swirling social media talk about uniting the Hughes brothers and questions about player leverage in today’s NHL. Mehta made it clear that Jack’s situation is not high on his list of concerns.
“I can’t comment on Quinn [Hughes]. I mean, he’s not our player. He plays for another team,” Mehta said. “As far as Jack, I don’t know… that’s not really something I’m thinking about right now. He has four years left. He’s on a great contract. He’s one of the best players in the league. It’s frankly—of all the things I have to deal with—that is not really one that I pay a lot of thought to.”
Instead of worry, Mehta expressed genuine excitement about having Hughes locked in.
“Other than me just being super pumped that we have him on our team at his contract, there’s not much to think about from my perspective,” he said.
When asked about his relationship with Jack and his confidence in the star center’s future with the Devils, Mehta was even more complimentary. He noted that he’s had multiple conversations with both Jack and his younger brother, Luke Hughes, since taking the job.
“I just can’t say enough great things,” Mehta said. “I said this in my press conference and it’s more true now three months later. [Jack]’s always been an exciting player, but I’m particularly excited now to see him at this particular time and juncture in his career at 24, 25 years old, hitting that kind of part of the aging curve where we tend to see players really kind of come into their own.”
Mehta also pointed to the supporting pieces the organization has added around Hughes this offseason.
“Hopefully now with some of the changes we made around him, it’s not just him but the whole team. I’m just excited to see how all the interplay will happen and the chemistry will kind of continue to blossom.”
In the end, Mehta didn’t just address the noise surrounding Jack. He dismissed it.
Four years left on a team-friendly deal. One of the best players in the league. And a general manager who says he’s more excited than concerned.
As for the brother reunion talk, the longer Quinn goes without signing an extension in Minnesota, the more the pressure sits on the Wild—not New Jersey. Mehta has already moved on.
James is a fully credentialed New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on Sportsnaut and the … More about James Nichols
