By Field Level Media
Sep 10 (Field Level Media) - Minnesota Wild star defenseman Quinn Hughes insists he isn't feeling rushed to sign his next contract.
Hughes addressed the issue on Wednesday as he heads into the final season of his six-year, $47.1 million deal.
"This is going to be done whenever I feel like it needs to be done," Hughes said as part of the NHL Player Media Tour in Las Vegas. "I don't feel backed up against a wall. I'm very thoughtful. I want to make sure I'm taking my time on everything
and make sure I'm making a decision that is going to be good for everyone. That's kind of where my head has been at.
"We haven't had that many conversations just because of how I wanted my summer to go in terms of being fresh and resetting and enjoying and training and being around friends and family. As we get going here, I'm sure it'll heat up, but I don't feel backed up against a wall where I have to sign before camp."
Hughes, 26, is eligible to sign an eight-year deal with the Wild through Tuesday. The league's new collective bargaining agreement kicks in on Sept. 16, with the maximum term for players re-signing with their current teams decreasing to seven years.
Quinn didn't want to publicly discuss what he's seeking with his next contract, although the bar for elite defensemen was raised last month by the eight-year, $163.2 million deal signed by Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar.
"I'm not going to get into that," Quinn said. "It's between me and (Wild general manager Bill Guerin), and ultimately we'll figure it out and you guys will find out at that point."
The former Norris Trophy recipient would be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after next season.
Hughes was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 12 in a blockbuster deal. The Wild sent fellow defenseman Zeev Buium, forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to Vancouver.
Hughes did not disappoint in Minnesota, amassing 53 points (five goals, 48 assists) in 48 games. He also led the NHL in average ice time in the regular season (27:44 per game).
Hughes continued his production in the postseason with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) and a plus-10 rating in 11 games. He led Minnesota to a first- round upset of second-seeded Dallas before the Avalanche ousted the Wild in five games.
Hughes has totaled 485 points (66 goals, 419 assists) and a plus-27 rating in 507 career games with the Canucks and Wild. He was selected by Vancouver with the seventh overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft.
(--Field Level Media)
