Quinn Hughes’ contract status remains the biggest long-term question surrounding the Minnesota Wild.
Minnesota acquired the star defenseman from the Vancouver Canucks in a blockbuster trade last December, but in doing so, the franchise surrendered a significant package of both players and draft assets despite Hughes having less than two years left on his deal at the time.
That said, Hughes quickly justified the move and recorded 53 points in 48 games with Minnesota while averaging more than 27 minutes per night.
Hughes finished the season with 76 points between Vancouver and the Wild and helped Minnesota reach the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
After the season was over, Hughes said that he was “definitely open” to re-signing with the Wild. The latest reports, however, offer sharply contrasting views of where things stand between the player and the franchise.
The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta appeared on the “Hello Hockey” show on Saturday and reported that Minnesota and Hughes are moving toward an extension worth at least $17 million annually.
“Quinn Hughes’ extension,” Pagnotta said, “they’re getting there. Around $17 (million per season) if not higher.”
Meanwhile, “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast host Pasha Eshghi offered a more cautious interpretation after The Athletic's Michael Russo reported that Wild general manager Bill Guerin had called the Devils about Jack Hughes.
“The thing with Russo, who said that Guerin has called New Jersey about Jack Hughes... Obviously, Guerin would want Jack Hughes,” Eshghi said. “If anything, it shows me that he’s a little bit antsy that Quinn might not re-sign, and he's like, 'Let me get Jack here to help him.'
“And also, it came out that there's been no progress in contract talks with Quinn in Minnesota because (Hughes' agent Pat) Brisson and Guerin have been busy with other things. What is more important than getting Quinn Hughes' contract done? I'm not saying he's going to Jersey, but like, you got to be a little bit nervous as a Wild fan.”
Hughes is set to become an unrestricted free agent after next season, once his six-year, $47.1 million contract ends on July 1. A new deal near $17 million, as Pagnotta reported, would place him alongside Kirill Kaprizov among the NHL’s and Minnesota's highest-paid players.
