Luke Hughes signed with the New Jersey Devils for a long-term deal after a tug-of-war over term and $9 million AAV, signaling the Devils’ commitment to their core as they chase a pivotal season.

Meanwhile, Lukas Reichel remains a hot rumor as Chicago weighs options for him, with late-round offers reported from Montreal, Vegas and Carolina while the Hawks assess the best long-term path. There’s also talk of Jacob Markström in Devils chatter, underscoring the league’s ongoing battle to pair young talent with veteran stability ahead of the season.

Luke Hughes remains unsigned with the Devils as camp approaches, with a cautious market and no immediate movement. Luke Evangelista’s status with Nashville hasn’t progressed, as the Predators signal a different-season approach. Lukas Reichel is on Chicago’s trade radar, and Jack Quinn’s $3.37M deal is used as a benchmark for other RFAs. Bedard’s preseason role and surrounding Leafs/Rangers chatter reflect a wary market. The Ducks’ example shows how fast deals can land, so track Hughes’ signing timeline, Reichel’s destination, and Quinn’s leverage for fantasy value.

NHL and NHLPA’s Milan stop launches a first-of-its-kind cross-sport activation with Serie A clubs Inter and Milan, spotlighting a shared global fan pulse for hockey and soccer. In a week of events in Milan, 26 NHL stars will mingle with European soccer icons, with a focus on Olympic visibility ahead of Milano Cortina 2026. Seven players named to preliminary Olympic rosters—Aho, Heiskanen, Seider, Raymond, Hischier, Nylander, and Zibanejad—anchor the roster as Inter hosts a training session and Milan’s opener vs Cremonese. The journey includes jersey exchanges with Serie A legends and a broadcaster summit to amplify cross-border storytelling.

The alliance aims to translate on-field star power into digital and live experiences for fantasy audiences and global fans, leveraging both leagues’ brands and broadcast ecosystems. A historic jersey swap at MSG from a March 2025 moment between Mika Zibanejad and Pirlo/Materazzi underscored the ambition to fuse hockey and soccer narratives. As Milan pivots toward 2025–26, the collaboration is framed as a blueprint for cross-sport engagement, talent mobility, and a broader, more immersive fan experience that transcends traditional league boundaries.