It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. Play at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina has started. However, general managers are still thinking about the future. The March 6 trade deadline is the foremost thing on their mind. However, the upcoming free agent period on July 1 will be upon us. Contracts and numbers will soon be swimming through the heads up of general managers.<\/p>\n
One team that has to figure things out with a key new acquisition is the Minnesota Wild.<\/a> This edition of NHL rumours deals with what the next contract may look like for a star defenceman.<\/p>\n All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.<\/p>\n Rumour: Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic speculated<\/a> on what the next deal may look like for defenceman Quinn Hughes, who is an unrestricted free agent after the end of the 2027-28 season.<\/em><\/p>\n Analysis:<\/em> Wild general manager Bill Guerin<\/a> took a massive swing <\/a>by getting Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> earlier this season. Minnesota has designs at making a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Hughes seems to be a massive part of that.<\/p>\n Adding the talented defenceman gives the Wild a deep defensive group<\/a> with Brock Faber<\/a>, Jared Spurgeon<\/a>, and Jonas Brodin<\/a>. Minnesota has a strong lineup with Kirill Kaprizov<\/a>, but Guerin would like to lock down the elder Hughes brother to a new deal.<\/p>\n Both sides can’t sign a new deal until July 1, when Hughes enters the final year of his contract. That day could open up a world of possibilities for Hughes and the Wild as they enter the final year of pivotal contract talks.<\/p>\n Hughes currently makes $7.85 million per season,<\/a> but he’ll be in line for a massive raise. The new world of the rising salary cap will give Guerin hope that he can take care of the Hughes deal without having to sweat too much.<\/p>\n However, one thing that is always a factor is the other Hughes brothers<\/a> on the New Jersey Devils<\/a>. Both Jack Hughes<\/a> and Luke Hughes<\/a> are on the Devils and there’s always the temptation of getting a chance to play together. This family bond may play a factor into what the elder Hughes may do.<\/p>\nNHL Rumours<\/h2>\n
What Could a Quinn Hughes<\/a> Contract Look Like for the Minnesota Wild?<\/h3>\n
What It Means<\/h3>\n