The Minnesota Wild still aren’t at the point where Quinn Hughes’ extension talks have turned into the real thing.
According to Michael Russo, Wild GM Bill Guerin and Hughes’ agent Pat Brisson have only gotten into preliminary extension discussions so far. The reason is simple enough: both sides have been busy, and the serious negotiating phase hasn’t started yet.
“Quinn and I have talked a number of times. When the dust settles here, now we can really focus and give our undivided attention to Quinn’s situation.”
Elsewhere, the Winnipeg Jets may be eyeing a different kind of reset. Mike McIntyre reported that the club could try to get younger and faster by moving out some forwards, with Nino Niederreiter, Vladislav Namestnikov, and/or Alex Iafallo mentioned as possible candidates. Winnipeg is also expected to add more defensive depth.
In Nashville, the roster math is already forcing action. Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean reported that after the first day of free agency, the Predators have 26 players under contract, which leaves them three over the roster limit and means GM Chris MacFarland will need to clear space.
“It’s going to require some tough decisions,” MacFarland told reporters at Bridgestone Arena on July 1. “Moving some players that maybe you wouldn’t normally look to move in order to improve key areas of the ice.”
He also said, “It’s going to require some creativity. It’s going to be required to thread the needle at times.”
MacFarland added that he wants to bring in more “puck skill” on the blue line. Nashville also has to sign Mavrik Bourque, whom they acquired yesterday, and that deal could land in the $5 to $7 million range.
In Other News...
Bill Guerin May Be Chasing More Than A Depth Move
The Wild have been shopping for help, especially on the wing, but the conversation around their deadline plans appears to be getting bigger than a routine depth add. With limited cap space and several roster moves already made, Minnesota has been trying to find a way to improve without boxing itself in, and that has kept Bill Guerin active in talks as he looks for the right fit.
Michael Russo of The Athletic reported that the Wild have also been linked to discussions with New Jersey about Jack Hughes, a name that immediately changes the scale of the conversation. Hughes brings the kind of pedigree that can alter a lineup, which is why even a speculative connection is enough to make Minnesotas search feel less like fine-tuning and more like a swing for something far more significant. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Just Made Their Center Chase A Lot More Interesting
The Wilds latest roster shuffle brought in two veterans from Calgary, Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta, and added former KHL player Maxim Shabanov, a set of moves that fits the teams broader push to keep improving around the edges. Bill Guerin has made it clear Minnesota is still willing to stay active if a bigger upgrade comes into view, which is why the center market continues to loom over everything else the front office does.
One name still hanging out there is Detroit captain Dylan Larkin, even if the path to any deal is anything but simple. The Red Wings are not showing much interest in Minnesotas current offers, and the sense around the league is that any serious conversation would ask a lot back, which leaves the Wild in a familiar spot: interested, flexible and waiting to see whether the right opportunity ever actually opens. [Read more 🡒]