The Minnesota Wild are still waiting on Quinn Hughes, and now the conversation has drifted into a place few likely saw coming: could Jack Hughes be the one who eventually lands in Minnesota, too?
That was part of the speculation on Wednesday’s episode of the Frankly Hockey podcast, where John Buccigross and Frank Seravalli kicked around the long-term ripple effects of Quinn’s contract situation and the uneven start in New Jersey. The idea that Quinn would simply wind up with the Devils because Jack and Luke are already there no longer feels as automatic as it once did.
The timing only adds to the intrigue. Quinn Hughes turned 27 on Wednesday, and he still has not signed an extension with Minnesota.
He remains on a $7.85 million deal that expires after this season, which puts him on track for unrestricted free agency next summer. Minnesota president of hockey operations Bill Guerin, for now, keeps waiting.
On the ice, Quinn has been worth the patience. He assisted on one of Kirill Kaprizov’s two goals in Tuesday night’s 5-2 loss to Winnipeg, which extended his season-opening assist streak to seven games.
That’s a franchise first for a defenseman. Through seven games, he has 10 points, including two goals and eight assists, and he has done it without Brock Faber, his regular partner on the blue line, who remains out after surgery on a fractured skull.
The podcast discussion started with Quinn’s strong start and quickly moved to the bigger picture in New Jersey, where things have not been as smooth. Seravalli raised the possibility that the Devils’ issues could complicate any assumption that Quinn eventually heads there.
Seravalli: “Is [Quinn Hughes] re-signing in Minny? Is he somehow going to link up with Jack?
What’s happening to the Devils? Bit of a rough start…”
Bucci: “I think that’s why he’s waiting.”
Seravalli: “What’s going on in New Jersey? Like, maybe that’s a real possibility that we’ve kind of always made this grand assumption.
‘Well, Quinn will eventually become a free agent and just go sign in New Jersey because Jack and Luke are there.’ What if New Jersey isn’t the place either, and then all three of them go bolt to, I don’t know, pick a place.
I’d say Detroit, but that doesn’t seem fathomable right now.”
Bucci: “Or Minnesota, right? And I think, and when Quinn says he’s not sure, I think that’s what he’s talking about.
And obviously anybody can afford Jack Hughes at $8 million. I mean, that’s, that’s not a problem.
They can all fit him in the cap. So I think Quinn realized, let’s just wait.
He probably has, again, almost like a spidey sense. Not that he has to talk to Jack about this, but you look at New Jersey, like, there’s not a lot there after him.
It could blossom, but, well, then they trade Nemetz, new GM.
Maybe he’ll come [to Minnesota]. And again, even if that’s a thing, if that’s really a Hughes thing where they definitely want to end up together, it’s going to happen, like the Tkachuks made it happen.
If the Hughes want to make it happen, they will make it happen anywhere they want to make it happen. It’ll work.”
Jack Hughes is in the fifth year of an eight-year contract that carries an $8 million cap hit through 2029-30. He has eight points, with two goals and six assists, in six games this season. New Jersey is 3-3-0 and sits sixth in the Metropolitan Division, a start that doesn’t exactly make the Devils look like the cleanest answer for Quinn or anyone else chasing a Cup run.
Both Buccigross and Seravalli agreed there’s no real rush from Quinn’s side, as long as he’s willing to keep playing and accept the nightly injury risk that comes with it. He’s already made.
He’s in a strong hockey situation. And unless something unexpected blows things up, the money will be there eventually.
“I mean if what’s the old Lou Lamoriello line? If you have time, use it.
He has time. He doesn’t need to sign.”
“I think if you’re Minnesota, you have to play it that way. You have to wait with him.
I think they’re doing that so far. They might sign him next July 2nd.
Like it may take that long, but it’s worth it probably in the end if it all works out.”
For now, the Wild are left to wait and watch. And if this story ever ends with two Hughes brothers in Minnesota instead of one, that patience may end up looking pretty smart.
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Gustavsson is expected back later in the year, and when he does return the Wild will have a decision to manage rather than a simple handshake and a thank-you. Two capable goalies can be a luxury, but they can also become a logjam when the offseason arrives and the club has to weigh contracts, roles and possible trade interest. For Minnesota, the upside is obvious. The harder part may be figuring out how to keep both goalies happy, and whether that is even realistic. [Read more 🡒]