Quinn Hughes is set to sign a contract extension with the Minnesota Wild, with president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Guerin meeting with Hughes in New Jersey earlier this offseason.
What happened?
The Wild acquired Hughes in a blockbuster trade in December, transforming their offense and making them a Stanley Cup contender.
Why it matters for Quinn Hughes
Hughes is still a year away from hitting unrestricted free agency, but he will be eligible for an extension on Wednesday, and has expressed interest in signing a three-year deal, which would line up with the end of his brother Jack's contract with the New Jersey Devils.
The former Norris Trophy winner said at the end of the season that getting something done this summer would be preferred, citing his love for the team, city, and fans.
What comes next?
The Wild would be open to several types of deals, and it doesn’t feel like money should be too much of an issue, but Hughes has the control here, and his contract could set a precedent for other top players, including Colorado Avalanche superstar defenseman Cale Makar.
Dom Luszczyszyn’s model projects a market value of $17.8 million, on average, over the next eight years, for Hughes, which would make him the highest-paid player in the NHL, and the player that signs first will likely become the model for the other.
On June 29, 2026, owner Craig Leipold confirmed that the team is going to re-sign Hughes, with the question being for how long, and the team is expected to make a strong push to sign him to a long-term deal.
The context of Hughes' situation adds another element of intrigue, as Makar’s teammate, Nathan MacKinnon, signed for less than market value in 2022, which could set a precedent in Colorado, and have a ripple effect on Hughes if Makar signs first.
The Avalanche intend to get Makar signed this offseason, and the rising cap makes for an interesting landscape around the NHL, with teams overpaying for higher-end players because it’s so difficult to replace them.
Few difference-makers, if any, are making it to July 1, which means it comes to the long process of drafting and developing talent — or adding via trade, and the former takes time, the latter costs assets, as the Wild learned first-hand with the haul it took to bring Hughes in last December.
And with the market shifting, Hughes could get closer to his projected market value, and become the highest-paid player in the NHL, as reported on June 29, 2026.
So the Wild will have to navigate the complex landscape of the NHL to sign Hughes to a contract extension, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out, with the team expected to make a strong push to sign him to a long-term deal.
The Wild's offense has been electrified since Hughes joined the team, and they will be looking to build on that success, with Hughes being a key part of their plans, and his contract extension being a top priority for the team.
As of June 29, 2026, the situation is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: Quinn Hughes is a key part of the Minnesota Wild's plans, and they will do everything they can to sign him to a contract extension, and keep him on the team for years to come.