MN Wild Owner Promises Quinn Hughes Extension
The Minnesota Wild are stuck in wait and see mode this week, as they hold all of their assets and money awaiting Detroit’s next move on Dylan Larkin.
Meanwhile, July 1 is looming. President of hockey operations Bill Guerin now has one week to decide on and make deals with potential key pieces to next year’s roster, including Mats Zuccarello, who is scheduled to hit the open market that day.
On the backburner, being steamrolled by trade talks and potential free agent gains/losses, is the Quinn Hughes contract extension, which he becomes eligible for on July 1, as well.
Craig Leipold: Quinn Hughes extension in Minnesota is coming
The MN Wild have made it quite clear that they have every intention of extending their 26-year-old superstar defenseman, just like they did Kirill Kaprizov last offseason. Thankfully, it sounds like negotiations won’t be nearly as intense.
In an interview with Angela Davis (MPR News) that it the internet Wednesday morning, MN Wild owner Craig Leipold was asked about the likelihood that Hughes signs an extension to remain in Minnesota long-term. He didn’t flinch, confidently vowing that a deal will get done.
“Quinn Hughes is an extraordinary player and extraordinary person. We had to give up a lot to get him this past year. We are going to re-sign him.”
Craig Leipold – MPR News with Angela Davis
The only questions surrounding the impending Hughes deal, unlike Kirill one year ago, has nothing to do with money. In fact, price wasn’t even discussed. Instead, it was about term. Leipold confirmed previous reports that Quinn would prefer a shorter term deal, specifically mentioning three years (see below).
For those who have been paying, that number is no surprise, as it would line him up to hit free agency the same year as his younger brother, Jack Hughes, who currently plays for the New Jersey Devils.
Hughes asking for 3 years, Wild hoping for 5…
However, the Wild (per Leipold) remain hopeful Quinn will sign longer-term. We can assume president of hockey operations Bill Guerin is offering is pitching Hughes the league-max of seven seasons, which is why the owner is crossing his fingers for five.
“The question will be, for how long? We would like to go as long as we could. He will probably want it to be a little shorter, shorter being maybe three years. Hopefully, we will end up at 5 [years], I don’t know. And the reason I can openly talk about this is because I’m not doing the negotiating.
Craig Leipold – MPR News with Angela Davis
Quinn Hughes — the eldest of three brothers playing in the NHL — is set to enter the final year of a six-year contract he signed with Vancouver back in 2021, worth a total of $47 million. This next deal with the Minnesota Wild could surpass that, even if the term is just three years.
In 2025-26, Hughes scored 7 Goals in 76 total games, a solid number for any defenseman. However, he assisted on a mind-numbing 76 goals scored by teammates and averaged a ridiculous 27:44 TOI. 5 of Quinn’s goals this season (and 48 assists) came as a member of the Wild (48 games).
AIMING FOR THE DEFENDER'S SKATES…
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 1, 2026
QUINN HUGHES IS WILD (😏) FOR THAT ONE 😵 https://t.co/MIoutzrT1C pic.twitter.com/5ESHe4XhNX
Technically, the Wild could wait to get a deal done until next season. However, it would really benefit both sides (including Hughes) to get it done before then. There’s no way he wants to go into the regular season without his new paychecks locked in.
Craig Leipold trusts fully in Wild PoHO Bill Guerin
When asked to follow up on his role in contract negotiations and player personnel decision-making, owner Craig Leipold told MPR News that he’s made it VERY clear to Bill Guerin that any recommendations he makes on stuff like that should be taken with the same grain of salt as any Minnesota Wild FAN, not owner.
Leipold: “I have a voice and Billy knows it’s just a voice. I am first a fan of the Wild and I am second the owner. When I give him recommendations and ideas, I’m giving it to him as a fan
Davis: “You know this is recorded, he may play this back.”
Leipold: “Oh, this is gonna hurt me! It’s gonna come back and bit me! Ha ha ha…”
MPR News
In other words, everything this team does, from a roster standpoint, is Billy G.
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