Quinn Hughes isn’t feeling much urgency to sign a new deal with the Minnesota Wild, even though he’s got just one year left on his contract after coming over from Vancouver. Seriously, the guy said Wednesday, “This is going to be done whenever I feel like it needs to be done,” and honestly, you gotta respect that kind of confidence. It’s not like he feels “backed up against a wall” or anything. He’s being thoughtful, taking his time, and wants a decision that’s good for everyone. That’s a smart player right there.
The “No Rush” Mentality and What It Means
Hughes hasn’t even played a full season with the Wild yet, but he’s already a massive piece of their future. He’s been pretty clear that the contract talks haven’t been heating up because he wanted his summer to be about resetting, training, and spending time with friends and family. Who can blame him? The man wants to be fresh. He made it clear the conversations will “heat up” as things get going, but he’s not signing anything “before camp” if he doesn’t want to. This isn’t just some guy, this is the 2023-24 Norris Memorial Trophy winner. He’s got two All-Star selections on his resume already and he’s just 26 years old! He helped lead the Wild to the second round of the playoffs last season. Yeah, he’s earned the right to take his time.
Makar’s Mega-Deal and the Path Forward
So, what’s the blueprint for a guy like Hughes? Look no further than Cale Makar’s historic deal with the Avalanche. Makar inked an eight-year, $163.2 million deal this summer, setting an NHL record with $20.4 million per year. Reports suggest Hughes’ next deal is expected to pay him roughly the same amount annually, but honestly, it would be no shock at all if the Wild end up shelling out *more* than that. This guy is one of the best defensemen in the league, a true franchise cornerstone. He can “of course” see himself in Minnesota for the foreseeable future, which is huge. But the dollars gotta be right.
Will these contract negotiations carrying into the season be a problem? Hughes isn’t worried. He said it’s “not going to weigh over me personally.” The dude is just excited to play hockey, period. He feels great and truly believes if he can stay healthy, he’s going to have his “best season.” That’s the kind of attitude you want from your star player, especially when he’s about to command a record-setting deal. The two sides still need to come to terms, but with that kind of talent and confidence, you know the Wild are going to do everything they can to lock him down long-term. Get ready for an absolute show from Hughes this season, contract or not.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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