Analyst reckons the belief of Quinn Hughes signing Wild extension has shifted from “when” to “if” after GM Bill Guerin’s update

Quinn Hughes is entering the final year of his six-year, $47.1 million contract and will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season.

He’s eligible to sign an extension this offseason, and talks with the Minnesota Wild are reportedly progressing positively, with the team discussing a five- to eight-year extension.

Hockey analyst Keith Kavanaugh recently noted that the belief around Hughes signing with the Wild has shifted from “when” to “if” following an update from GM Bill Guerin. Kavanaugh said:

“Bill Guerin was on with Russo today, where he was basically talking about, you know, these are big decisions, and we’ve been in touch with their camp. The sentiment I’d say a month ago was not if he’s going to sign this extension, but when he’s going to sign this extension with Minnesota, and now it almost feels like it’s shifted a little bit to if.”

Jeff Marek also weighed in on Quinn’s situation, saying:

“I think in the back of Quinn Hughes’s mind is, I don’t think any of this is about the money, because I think the money he’s going to get in Minnesota is the money he’s going to get in New Jersey, is the money he’s going to get in Detroit, is the money he’s going to get wherever he ends up going. I think he looks at it and says, like, is this a Stanley Cup team?”

GM Bill Guerin shares his thoughts on Quinn Hughes’ contract progress

Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin recently shared his thoughts on the progress of Quinn Hughes’ contract. The GM said he has remained in regular contact with the defenseman’s camp but stressed that negotiations of this size take time.

“I’m not gonna get too far into it, but I have been talking to his camp all along,” Guerin said. “These things take time, they are big decisions for players and teams, so it’s a process to work through it.”

Quinn joined the Wild in December following a blockbuster trade with the Vancouver Canucks. After the trade, Guerin stressed that re-signing Hughes was the club’s top priority in the offseason.

“I love having him here, and the impact that he had on our team was incredible. These are things that take time and I think everybody needs a little bit of time to decompress, but that’s priority,” said Guerin.

Quinn Hughes accumulated 53 points (five goals, 48 assists) in his first stint with the Wild.