Trending or Ending: Wild Will Have To Trade Quinn Hughes – The Hockey Writers – Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild are working hard to sign superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes to a contract extension. So far, they’ve not had much luck. Reportedly open to sticking around, talks have hit a snag as Hughes wants to align any new deal to end at the same time as his brother Jack (who plays in New Jersey). That’s not ideal.

In my latest installment of the Trending or Ending series, I’m taking a look at whether recent rumblings about Hughes not signing should be concerning. And, even if he does, is it inevitable that the Wild will have to trade him?

The Case for “Trending”: Hughes Doesn’t Want to Commit

The lack of progress on contract talks is not a great sign in Minnesota. The Wild remain confident that Hughes will sign, but the fact he hasn’t yet is concerning. GM Bill Guerin recently spoke about the discussions during an interview and said, “I’m not gonna get too far into it, but I have been talking to his camp all along. These things take time, they are big decisions for players and teams, so it’s a process to work through it.”

Speculation is that Hughes has no issues with Minnesota as a team or a city. He likes playing there. However, his brothers aren’t there and playing with them seems to be a priority. Reports that Hughes only wants a three-year deal is less about maximizing his earnings and more about flexibility. He wants to go where Jack Hughes goes.

As such, even if the Wild sign him, unless they feel confident they can also acquire Jack in free agency or via trade from the Devils, there’s a good chance Quinn is gone after the three-year deal expires.

The question then becomes, are the Wild better off trying to compete in the window Hughes gives them? Or, are they better trading him for a huge return, using those assets to make a run and see where they can get without Hughes on the roster?

The Case for “Ending”: Hughes Has No Reason To Go Elsewhere

Quinn should see that he’s got a good shot of winning in Minnesota. They’re arguably closer than the Devils are to Stanley Cup, and while the Wild are in a tough division, they’re stacked, less the addition of one more center.

If the Wild can find that center — rumors are they’ve been in heavy on Dylan Larkin — Hughes has to see that the Wild are set to compete during the time he signs. Until Jack (and maybe even Luke Hughes) are free to go elsewhere, is Hughes really better off in another situation?

The Wild will pay him. They’ll try to build around him. Minnesota is all in. Hughes can’t say that in many of the other places he might be looking at or that will show interest.

So, Trending or Ending?

Ultimately, I see this as trending. I believe Hughes will sign with the Wild. I also believe he’ll go short term and the Wild will push this season, and maybe next. If they can’t land the center they need or they aren’t as competitive as they’d like, Hughes will be traded.

He’s too good a player to have so much uncertainty about as his brothers and him plot a course to wind up on the same team. The Wild can’t allow him to dictate everything here and that means leaving open the possibility that they could make a trade to recoup some serious assets and stay competitive.