Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Minnesota Wild will tell you not to judge a book by its cover. But there’s no hiding the fact that three of their top-nine forwards from last season (Zuccarello, Johansson, Tarasenko) have been replaced with guys (Shabanov, Coleman, Brink) who have yet to prove they can handle the same type of offensive responsibility.
On defense, the Wild will be fine, as currently constructed. President of hockey operations Bill Guerin traded Jake Middleton and replaced him with another veteran, Olli Maatta. If the soon-to-be 32-year-old Maatta brings his A-game, to Minnesota, the Wild will be better on the blue line in 2026-27 (and in the playoffs).
But the most important player personnel task on the Wild’s offseason to-do list, regardless of position, is signing 26-year-old superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes to a contract extension.
Don’t panic, but a Quinn Hughes extension is NOT imminent
However, because Guerin has spent most of the summer waiting for Detroit to trade Dylan Larkin, Quinn Hughes contract negotiations have taken a backseat, despite him becoming extension eligible on July 1.
Per Joe Smith (The Athletic), who reports that the two sides have been talking, a deal is not imminent…. though he isn’t ringing any alarm bells just yet.
They’re working on [an extension], but a deal isn’t imminent, per league sources who were granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly. That doesn’t mean there should be a cause for concern. The Wild have made it clear that re-signing Hughes was their top priority this summer, so it’s understandable for fans to feel stressed the longer negotiations go. But we don’t expect this to be like the Kirill Kaprizov negotiations, which dragged into September. Minnesota’s management team has been quiet publicly, but as far as we know, both sides are still working toward the same goal.
Related: MN Wild Not Happy With Kirill Kaprizov’s Play
The expectation remains that Hughes will eventually sign a 3-year deal worth between $15 and $18 million per year. While those numbers are similar to Kaprizov’s new deal, getting there shouldn’t get hostile like talks with Kirill’s agent, Paul Theofanous one year ago.
Minnesota Wild, Hughes waiting on Makar?
Instead, it could be Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar who’s helping to hold up talks between Hughes and the Wild. Makar — who is the only defenseman in the NHL considered better than Quinn Hughes — is currently negotiating his own extension with Minnesota’s division rival.
Hughes 2025-26 Stats: 7 Goals, 69 Assists, 10.1 PS, 27:44 TOI, 54.1 CF%
Makar 2025-26 Stats: 20 Goals, 59 Assists, 12.8 PS, 24:51 TOI, 54.7 CF%
Related: GM Refusing to Trade Dylan Larkin to Minnesota Fired
It’s possible Quinn waits for Makar to set the market. However, it’s also possible Hughes would want Makar to sign first, but only if Makar plans to charge the Avs full-price on his new deal.
If Makar takes a discount, it could put pressure on Hughes to do the same, especially if he is only willing to sign for three years.
Elliotte Friedman: Re Cale Makar extension/Avalanche: I’ll bet you he does not max out, that they’ll go to him and they’ll be like, we could pay you whatever you want; I think he takes a big number…but I don’t think he takes everything he can – 32 Thoughts (7/6)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 12, 2026
As Smith points out, the Minnesota Wild will struggle to manage two massive contracts on their books for the next three years. But considering how good both Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes are, that is a really good problem to have, if you are running and NHL franchise.
Mentioned in this article: contract negotiations Quinn Hughes
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