Quinn Hughes didn’t stamp an extension on the table Saturday, but he came awfully close to signaling that something might be coming with the Minnesota Wild.
Speaking to reporters in Seattle, the Minnesota defenseman sounded comfortable with where things stand and even left the door open for a deal in the near future.
"I'm where I've always been. I'm excited right now.
My two feet are planted in Minnesota and you know, something could happen soon. I'm not really too sure," Hughes told reporters.
"I'm really enjoying playing here."
That was the headline moment, but it wasn’t the only one. Hughes kept circling back to how much he likes the situation around him, both on the back end and up front.
"I love playing with, you see Brodes, Spurge, and when Brock comes back, there's a lot of things that are set up nicely here for me to have success individually and as a team," Hughes said.
Hughes was pointing to Jonas Brodin, Jared Spurgeon and Brock Faber, who has been out after suffering a skull fracture during the preseason.
The fit doesn’t stop with the defense corps, either. Hughes also lit up when talking about Minnesota’s top-end forwards and the chance to share the ice with them.
"Then you see when Hynesy and Cappy load us up with Kirill, Boldy and Eriksson Ek, that is some of the most fun hockey I have ever played," Hughes said. "Playing with those guys and going out there and trying to compete with those guys and make plays. That is really fun stuff for me."
That group - Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek - gives Hughes a chance to lean into the offensive side of his game while playing with some of the Wild’s biggest names.
And for Hughes, this isn’t just about personal comfort. He also said he sees a team with real upside.
"We have a great team. First thing, is you want to get into the playoffs but I would think that we have a chance to win this year," Hughes said.
Hughes has made similar feelings clear before, including alongside his brother Jack, and Saturday’s comments fit the same pattern: steady, positive, but not final.
He wrapped it up with another line that will keep Wild fans listening closely.
"So, I am really enjoying it right now. I am taking my time and we will see where it goes," Hughes said. "But I wouldn't be surprised if something happens soon."
So no extension yet. But Hughes made his position plain in Seattle: he likes Minnesota, he likes the team around him, and he doesn’t sound like a player far from a next step.
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