Ryan Whitney isn’t leaving much room for suspense on Quinn Hughes’ future.
On Monday’s episode of Spittin’ Chiclets, the former NHL defenseman said flatly that he believes Hughes will be in New Jersey next season.
“There is a 100% chance that Quinn Hughes is on the Devils next year,” said Whitney on the podcast.
That’s one possible path to Newark if Hughes doesn’t re-sign with Minnesota. He could be moved before the March deadline, or he could wait it out, hit unrestricted free agency on July 1, 2027, and choose the Devils when he signs his next contract.
Hughes, though, sounded much more guarded when he addressed his situation on Saturday.
“I’m where I’ve always been, and I’m excited right now, and my two feet are planted here in Minnesota. Something could happen soon, I’m not really too sure,” Hughes said.
The 27-year-old is in the last season of the six-year, $47.1 million contract he signed with Vancouver in 2021. Under the new CBA, Minnesota can go to seven years on an extension, while a team like New Jersey would be limited to six.
Money is part of the picture, too. The Wild had already made it clear they would top Cale Makar’s $20.4 million AAV, and with the 2027-28 salary cap expected to rise, another club could potentially push to about $22.7 million per year.
Hughes was also asked on Saturday whether Friday’s Connor Hellebuyck trade changed anything about his own thinking. His answer didn’t exactly fuel the Devils chatter.
“That’s not something that’s on my mind. I was happy for Helle from a personal friendship aspect of it.
I’m happy for Jack and Luke because it helps their team. But … I haven’t been thinking about that.
That’s for sure,” said Hughes, per Joe Smith of The Athletic.
New Jersey sent Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws, Alexander Command and two draft picks to get Hellebuyck.
Still, the brother angle keeps the speculation alive. Jack Hughes is New Jersey’s top center, and Quinn said in September there is “obviously a draw” to playing with him and Luke, while also making clear he would not “sacrifice a great spot” just to do it.
For the Devils, the cap math won’t be simple. PuckPedia lists them at $16.8 million in space for the 2027-28 season, which means GM Sunny Mehta would need to move money around if Quinn Hughes ever becomes a real target.
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Bruins Face A Pavel Zacha Dilemma They Can't Ignore
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For the Devils, it is the kind of developing wrinkle worth watching even if they are not directly involved, because any contract standoff involving a player of Zachas caliber can shape trade chatter and the market around it. Boston is already trying to balance its roster choices elsewhere, with Toronto publicly downplaying outside defensive help and leaning toward internal fixes, so the broader league picture is one in which teams are measuring their own cap and lineup priorities very carefully. [Read more 🡒]