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...
Devils Beat Rangers But One Early Concern Still Stood Out
The Devils preseason win over the Rangers gave New Jersey plenty to like, with Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Jack Hughes each finding the net in a game that also showed the kind of defensive structure the team wants to carry into the regular season. They controlled most of the shot attempts and spent long stretches dictating the pace, a good sign for a roster trying to sharpen its habits before the games start counting.
Still, the night also carried an early reminder of how quickly preseason can turn. Rangers forward Adam Sykora left after taking a hit from Mikael Diotte and did not return because of a lower-body injury, a sequence that put the focus back on health even in a game otherwise shaped by solid Devils pressure and chances. For New Jersey, the result was encouraging, but the broader takeaway was that the physical edge is already here, and it can alter a game in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Just Gave New Jersey Fans A Perk Theyll Actually Use
The Devils and NJM Insurance Group have added a new layer to a partnership that feels built for the fan base as much as the arena. Under the multi-year agreement, NJM becomes an Official Partner of both the Devils and Prudential Center, and the deal includes a benefit program called New Jersey, New Jersey for Devils Black and Red Members.
The jersey update perk is the kind of detail that tends to resonate with fans who invest in a name and number, then watch the roster shift around them. NJM also will present the teams post-win locker room speeches social series, along with a new player-focused content series, giving the partnership a footprint that stretches from game nights into the online content the Devils have been leaning into more and more. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Goalie Depth Is Easing One Concern Fans Had Around Jake Allen
The Devils went into camp knowing the biggest question in their crease was not just what Jake Allen could give them, but who could support him if the workload piled up. So far, that part of the picture has looked calmer than expected. Nico Daws has put together encouraging preseason showings, David Rittich has also looked steady in recent games, and prospect Jakub Malek has turned heads in prospect action, giving New Jersey more credible options than it seemed to have a few weeks ago.
For a team that wants Allen to anchor the position, that matters. Daws now looks like a possible answer as a backup, Rittich adds another experienced layer, and Maleks early progress hints at longer-term depth in the system. The Devils still have decisions to make as camp continues, but the crease no longer feels like the same source of concern it did when the preseason started. [Read more 🡒]