Quinn Hughes’ contract extension remains one of the biggest storylines of the NHL offseason to keep an eye on, given the ramifications of the length of his next deal.
The Minnesota Wild defenseman is entering the final season of his six-year, $47.1 million contract, and while both sides want to get a deal done, a new report has reignited speculation over what that contract could look like.
Quinn Hughes Extension Buzz Grows
Ever since acquiring Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks in a blockbuster trade in December 2025, the Wild have made it clear that signing him long-term is a top priority.
According to The Athletic’s Michael Russo, general manager Bill Guerin is expected to meet with Hughes and his representatives in Michigan this week to continue extension talks.
Russo reported: “Believe Bill Guerin will be meeting with Quinn Hughes and his camp in Michigan today/this week. As we’ve long reported, Wild want to go 5-8 years (7-year max term after Sept. 16 in new CBA). 3-year extension still makes most sense for Quinn so he can align with Jack’s deal in NJ.”
The report quickly sparked plenty of discussion around the league.
NHL analyst Alex Micheletti believes a deal would finally quiet the speculation linking Hughes to New Jersey. “Going to be glorious when Quinn Hughes signs his extension with #mnwild and Devils fans go quiet finally on this,” Micheletti said.
Analyst Jack Leverentz joked about how Devils fans would react, saying, “This must mean he’s going to be playing with Jack in New Jersey this year.” NHL Tonight host E.J. Hradek agreed that a shorter contract seems likely. “Agree. Three-year deal seems like the most likely outcome. What’s the AAV?? I’m guessing $18M. That’s just a guess,” Hradek remarked.
Meanwhile, analyst Tyler Bleszinski believes Hughes should maximize his value if he agrees to a shorter deal. “I’ve been saying it’ll be a 3-year deal if anything, and if he’s going to be willing to forego UFA years, it should be a monstrous 3-year deal. The Wild desperately need depth though if they’re going to touch the Avs, Stars or even Mammoth at this point,” he pointed out.
A three-year extension would keep Hughes in Minnesota through the 2029-30 season, which would line up with the year his brother Jack Hughes is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in New Jersey. That timeline has fueled ongoing speculation that the Hughes brothers could eventually pull a Tkachuk and join forces.
Regardless of whether the deal is for three years or something longer, Hughes is expected to receive one of the richest contracts in NHL history after another outstanding season in which he recorded 76 points in 74 games.
With Guerin and Hughes set to meet face-to-face, all eyes are now on Minnesota to see whether the two sides can reach an agreement or whether negotiations continue as one of the NHL’s biggest offseason storylines.
