Guerin preaches patience as Hughes, Larkin sagas stretch on

The Athletic's Michael Russo reported last week that Guerin had made his way out to Michigan to meet with Hughes and his camp in an effort to work on an extension.

It's long been suggested that Hughes' camp is looking for a shorter-term, three-year deal in order to line up his contract with his brother Jack's deal with the New Jersey Devils. The two are known to want to play together in the NHL.

Any deal for Hughes is likely to be a record-setting contract for the star defenseman. With star winger Kirill Kaprizov already on one of the biggest contracts in the NHL, there would certainly be questions about how much flexibility the Wild have to operate if they have two players with deals north of $15 million AAV. However, Guerin doesn't seem too concerned about that.

"The only thing that's tougher than having guys like that at such a high number is not having them," said Guerin when asked about the ability to fill out a competitive roster with two huge contracts at the top of the roster. "Those are good problems to have. I think it does help to have certain guys on other contracts that were signed a while ago that kind of help. It's just one of those things that you have to just deal with and figure it out, and find cap space in other areas. Find those diamonds in the rough. Those are the things you just got to figure it out."

Remaining patient in search of top-line center

Guerin and the Wild have been front and center this summer in most rumors and speculation about where Detroit center Dylan Larkin might land after requesting a trade in June. However, over two months removed from that request, the hockey world still waits for resolution on Larkin's future.

That has led to some concerns about the Wild entering the season without a true No. 1 center to fill out the top line with Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov. Those concerns aren't necessarily shared by Guerin, though.

"You have to be patient," said Guerin when asked about the idea of heading into the season without landing a top center and with a potentially incomplete roster. "You have to wait and you can't jump at something that doesn't make sense, just to do it. This year is kind of like (last year) in a way. I don't know who is going to become available at what time or when. But, there really wasn't much to do. We made the one trade and I think that made us better. We had to say goodbye to a couple guys, but all in all, it wasn't that active of an offseason just because of all the money that's in the system now. The one thing we don't want to do is take steps backwards. I think when there are signings that can get you in trouble, that's when that happens."

The Wild organization has long sought a top-line center. Guerin admitted that while he certainly wrestles with that need, he's always focused on adding good players that fit, no matter the position.

"Yeah, I mean I'm comfortable but always digging," said Guerin on his comfort level with the roster at the moment. "You can always improve. You can always get better. I've always said, if there's a chance we can get better, we're going to do it. As of right now, I'm pretty comfortable where we are. It's August, this is not the busiest time of year, but there's always stuff going on."