Quinn Hughes may be drawing more attention than ever, and the latest team to enter the conversation could make this whole situation a lot more interesting.
The Philadelphia Flyers are quietly being framed as a real threat if Hughes ever becomes available, according to The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz. That matters because Minnesota is still trying to lock down a long-term deal with the defenseman after the blockbuster trade that sent him from Vancouver to the Wild, and the lack of progress has left the door cracked for other teams to start circling.
Kurz pointed to several reasons the Flyers are in position to make a push. Hughes had a strong relationship with Flyers coach Rick Tocchet in Vancouver, and he’s also good friends with Trevor Zegras.
Philadelphia had interest in Hughes last season before he was dealt to Minnesota, but was told Vancouver had no interest in moving him there. The Flyers also checked in on Zach Werenski this summer before his relationship with the Columbus Blue Jackets improved, and they were aggressive again when they offer-sheeted Leo Carlsson.
As Kurz put it, the Flyers are prepared to chase a star and pay him like one because of their salary-cap flexibility.
That combination gives Philadelphia a real opening if Minnesota’s extension talks keep dragging. The Canucks are no longer part of the picture, which removes one obstacle.
The bigger issue is whether the Wild can actually get Hughes signed. If that process stalls long enough, a trade becomes a much more realistic possibility.
And the Flyers, by all indications, would not be afraid to act fast. General manager Daniel Briere has already shown a willingness to make bold moves during the rebuild, and the organization has been one of the league’s most aggressive teams this offseason. A top-pairing defenseman with franchise-changing upside would fit the kind of swing they appear ready to take.
The Devils have long been viewed as the team to watch if Hughes hits the market, especially with Jack and Luke Hughes in New Jersey. But the arrival of another serious Eastern Conference bidder changes the feel of the race. Philadelphia could still make a run at Quinn now and try to sort out the rest later, or it could lean on a shorter-term deal and try to win inside the window Hughes is comfortable with.
Kurz also noted that a three-year extension could work for the Flyers. “If Hughes wants a three-year extension - which would make him an unrestricted free agent in 2030, the same year as his brother, Jack, in New Jersey, would become a free agent - I would guess that would be palatable for the club. It would give them some runway to become a true contender if you assume the young players on the roster continue to progress.”
For now, nothing is close. Minnesota has not publicly suggested it is ready to move Hughes. But with the contract situation unresolved and both the Devils and Flyers watching closely, this is one of the biggest situations to track as the season gets closer.
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