Wild reportedly 'more than willing' to make big offer for Quinn Hughes

What is the right price for Wild superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes? That's the question the Wild front office is trying to find the right answer to this offseason. According to recent reporting, a record-setting contract might be the answer.

In a recent look at big offseason decisions coming this summer in the NHL, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos wrote that Minnesota isn't shying away from a potentially record-setting deal for Hughes.

"There is some urgency for the Wild to figure out what Hughes’ intentions are since he will begin the final year of his contract in the fall," wrote Kypreos. "The Wild are prepared to make him a big offer and are more than willing to make him as happy as they did with Kirill Kaprizov last year, when they signed him to a $17-million contract. "

Last offseason, the Wild made Kaprizov the highest-paid player in league history, signing him to an eight-year deal that will pay out an average of $17 million per year. That contract kicks in next season.

Hughes, on the other hand, is entering the final year of a six-year deal he signed with Vancouver in 2021, with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.85 million. The Wild acquired Hughes in a blockbuster trade last December that instantly solidified them as a Stanley Cup contender. Hughes turns 27 this October, and if he were to hit free agency next summer, he would be one of the most in-demand stars to hit the open market in recent memory.

The Athletic's Frank Seravelli speculated earlier this week that the price may be an eight- year deal with an AAV around $15 million. Any deal with Hughes wouldn't kick in until the 2027-28 season, when the Wild, according to PuckPedia, will have around $48.6 million in available cap space.

The highest-paid defenseman in the league is Pittsburgh's Erik Karlsson, who is heading into the final year of an eight-year contract with an AAV of $11.5 million. If the Wild did go as high as $15 million per season, it would blow the previous record contract for a defenseman out of the water.

The question, though, remains whether Hughes wants to stay in Minnesota long-term. In his end-of-season press conference, Hughes stated, "I really like it here. I would definitely be open to re-signing." However, the speculation surrounding Hughes' future has always been about his public desire to team up with his brothers, Jack and Luke, who play for the New Jersey Devils.

Jack still has four years left on his deal with New Jersey. So, the speculation has been that Quinn could potentially ink a four-year deal so he can hit free agency with his brother in 2030. Luke is signed through the 2031-32 season, so he could then join Quinn and Jack a couple of seasons later.

Guerin hasn't been shy about his desire to keep Hughes in Minnesota. If dishing out a record-setting contract for the second straight offseason is the cost, then it would appear, based on the latest reporting, that Minnesota is prepared to do that.