Will the Wild Re-Sign Quinn Hughes?

The long-term trajectory of one NHL franchise is about to change for the better as Quinn Hughes decides on which team he’ll pledge his future to.

Bearing weight on his decision will be how his current team, the Minnesota Wild, fares in the first round of the playoffs, likely against fellow Stanley Cup and Central Division contender the Dallas Stars.

Various other factors will contribute to Hughes’ final decision. So, will he stay in Minnesota, or will another franchise reap the benefits of signing one of the world’s best defencemen?  

Will Quinn Hughes Re-sign With Minnesota Wild?

The Wild are a markedly different team with Hughes in the lineup. Since making his debut on Dec. 14 following his trade from the Vancouver Canucks, the Wild have the second-best points percentage (.697), tied with the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes. 

Only the Buffalo Sabres (.824) have been better during this span. 

The former Norris Trophy winner and Norris Trophy hockey odds contender is in the prime of his career, still only 26 years old. So, the desire of Minnesota’s ownership group to retain the franchise player is understandably off the charts. 

There’s more of a chance of Hughes re-signing with the Wild than going elsewhere, especially as the Wild are among the Stanley Cup odds contenders at the BetMGM sportsbook. 

He’s enjoying personal success, scoring 41 points in 33 games, the second-most among defencemen, since arriving in Minnesota. And he has the utmost respect and admiration for Wild general manager Bill Guerin, another notable draw to staying in Saint Paul. 

Quinn Hughes Extension: What Could It Look Like?

With the NHL set to significantly increase its salary cap over the next three years, Quinn will be in for a massive raise. 

Invariably, he will become the highest-paid defenceman, leapfrogging Erik Karlsson ($11.5 million per season). Unless, of course, the Colorado Avalanche pay Cale Makar more. 

Regardless, Hughes is set to make between $15 and $18 million per season. The Wild recently signed Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year,

That $17 million-per-year contract makes him the highest-paid player, a sign of things to come in the new-world NHL. 

The Wild are also in a position to offer something few other teams can: an eight-year, front-loaded contract. Alternatively, Hughes might decide to re-sign through the 2029-30 season, coinciding with when brother Jack, unless he signs a new deal, will become a free agent. 

What Is Quinn Hughes’ Contract Status?

Hughes signed a six-year, $47.1 million contract in 2021. He’s in the fifth year of that deal and, unless he re-signs, would become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season.

Who Else Could Quinn Hughes Sign With This Offseason?

Brothers Jack and Luke play in New Jersey, the primary alternative option for Quinn. The Devils were the top contender in the Quinn Hughes trade sweepstakes before he landed in Minnesota. 

Lack of cap flexibility could remain an issue in the Devils’ attempt to sign Hughes this offseason. However, they could make it work with some tinkering. It would work out better if they could sign him in the summer of 2027, with only 11 players currently under contract for the 2027-28 season, but that scenario is unlikely. 

Hughes’ home state of Michigan provides another option, with the Detroit Red Wings keenly interested in landing the superstar. 

The Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes will also likely be in the mix, with several other teams almost assuredly making their pitch to acquire one of the world’s best hockey players.