Quinn Hughes has once again signaled his intent to remain with the Minnesota Wild, according to NHL insider Michael Russo. During a recent meeting between the defenseman’s representatives and the organization, Hughes reportedly reaffirmed his desire to secure a contract extension. Speaking on the Worst Seats in the House podcast, Russo noted that the player’s camp held face-to-face discussions with general manager Bill Guerin in Detroit last week, maintaining the same stance they established during their initial talks in early June.
The defenseman is currently entering the final year of his existing contract, which carries a $7.85 million cap hit. Having become eligible for an extension on July 1, Hughes remains a central figure for the franchise. While the team is reportedly pursuing a long-term agreement, potential contract lengths are being influenced by the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement, which takes effect on September 16 and limits the maximum deal duration to seven years.
General manager Bill Guerin has consistently maintained that securing Hughes is the organization’s primary objective for the offseason. Guerin confirmed he is in regular communication with the player’s representatives, emphasizing that complex negotiations of this nature require patience. The team acquired Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks last December, and he quickly became a vital contributor, recording 53 points in 48 regular-season games following the trade.
Across the full 2025-26 campaign, Hughes tallied 76 points, including seven goals and 69 assists, over 74 appearances. His performance placed him second among all NHL defensemen in total assists. Following the conclusion of the Wild’s playoff run, Hughes publicly expressed his openness to remaining with the club, citing a positive experience in Minnesota.
In unrelated news, Janet Gretzky, wife of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, recently addressed public criticism regarding her husband’s loyalty to Canada. She also acknowledged the support provided by Bobby Orr amidst the ongoing discourse surrounding the 4 Nations drama.
According to Russo, the message remained the same as it was when the two sides first met in early June.
NHL Rumour Report later shared Russo’s comments on X.
