The Minnesota Wild may not be anywhere near a deal with Quinn Hughes yet, but that doesn’t mean the situation is tense.
Hughes said last week that he isn’t feeling any pressure and that the delay in extension talks is just part of the process. He made it clear he likes where he is right now.
“I wouldn’t say there’s any issues here,” Hughes said. “I just think that we’re going through the process, specifically myself, and just taking the time.
I don’t feel pressure to do anything. I’m really happy here.
I love the guys. I love the team.
And I fit in really well. Obviously, there’s a draw to playing with (my brothers) at some point.
But I think Jack said it perfectly at (the recent NHL/NHLPA Player) Media Tour: I’m not going to sacrifice a great spot for me to play … with them.”
He also said the talks haven’t really begun yet, and he described his situation as different from Kirill Kaprizov’s was last season.
“For me, I know what I’m gonna start thinking about and things that are important to me when me and Billy really start talking. I don’t know if those things are similar to Kirill or whatnot. I think I have a good understanding of what’s important to me.”
One thing Hughes could be watching is whether Minnesota can add a No. 1 center. The name mentioned is Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, and Hughes and Larkin share agent Pat Brisson.
Elsewhere in the goalie market, the New Jersey Devils are still being linked to Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck even though the fit is complicated. New Jersey traded Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers this offseason and now has Jake Allen, Nico Daws and David Rittich under contract.
Devils GM Sunny Mehta said he’s comfortable with that group and has already spoken with Daws about the chance and the path ahead for him this season.
Cap space remains the obvious hurdle. The Devils are projected to have just $1.85 million in space, while Hellebuyck carries an $8.5 million contract. Still, there are ways they could make it work if they choose to go that route.
The Sabres, Sharks and Hurricanes have also been connected to Hellebuyck.
In Other News...
Bobby Brink Just Made Minnesotas Roster Decision Much Harder
Bobby Brink gave the Wild plenty to think about in a preseason matchup with the Blackhawks, scoring twice and even dropping the gloves in a 4-3 overtime loss. For a team still sorting out its lineup decisions before the regular season, that kind of night tends to carry a little extra weight. Brink did more than just fill the box score - he showed the kind of edge and urgency that can make a coaching staff pause when it starts narrowing roles.
Minnesotas preseason is still about evaluation, but Brinks performance added another layer to a competition that was already worth watching. The Wild will keep sorting through options as camp moves forward, and nights like this can change the conversation quickly. Even in a game that ended without a win, Brink made a strong case for keeping himself in the picture when those final decisions come due. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Young Forwards Are Giving Fans Real Reason For Hope
The Wild entered the preseason knowing the pressure on their forward group would be different this year. After losing significant scoring from the top six in the offseason, Minnesota has leaned on a wave of younger players to help show what the next layer of offense might look like, and Bobby Brink, Maxim Shabanov and Danila Yurov have all gotten an early chance to make their case.
Against the Chicago Blackhawks, Brink stood out with two goals, Shabanov added one of his own and Yurov flashed some of the quieter details that can win a coaching staff over, including his work away from the puck and in the faceoff circle. For a team trying to sort out roles before opening night, the encouraging part is not just the production, but the variety of ways these forwards are trying to earn meaningful minutes. [Read more 🡒]
Pat Verbeek Put The Ducks In A Tough Spot Before Opening Night
As opening night approaches, the Ducks are already being pulled into the broader NHL conversation about how aggressive teams will get with their rosters. Around the league, the chatter has centered on possible trade talk involving names like Dylan Larkin and Connor Hellebuyck, along with questions about Quinn Hughes contract future, but Anaheims situation stands out because it is tied to how Pat Verbeek has handled the summer and what that means for the roster he is bringing into the season.
For a team still being judged on its long-term direction, that leaves Verbeek in a tricky spot. Evaluations of the offseason have ranged from praise to skepticism, with the Ducks being weighed against clubs like the Red Wings, and the market for major moves only adds to the pressure. Whether Anaheim ultimately stays patient or finds a way to shift course, the uncertainty around management decisions is already hanging over the start of the year. [Read more 🡒]