Wild Confirm Surprise Decision as They Roll Dice With Quinn Hughes

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Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin says there is no change in Quinn Hughes’ contract situation, but he is open to keeping the star defenseman beyond the March 1 NHL Trade Deadline, even if an extension isn’t in place.

Hughes, acquired from Vancouver in December 2025, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Guerin said the situation remains “status quo,” explaining, “Honestly, I just want him to focus on hockey.” Asked whether he would consider keeping Hughes past the deadline, Guerin responded, “Sure. Yeah.”

He also made it clear that Minnesota wants to retain the 27-year-old, who has recorded 79 points in 67 games since arriving. “Honestly, we’re a better team with Quinn Hughes, so I mean, I want to keep him as long as I possibly can,” Guerin said.

Will he change his mind? Guerin was asked if there will come a point where his stance on retaining Hughes regardless of his future in Minnesota, the GM responded, “I don’t know.”

For now, the Wild intend to roll the dice. They want Hughes to stay, but they want to win more than being worried about whether he does.

“Whether it’s three months, three years, seven years, whatever, we’re a better team with Quinn Hughes.”

Wild Making a Push Towards a Stanley Cup

Wild are sitting atop the Central Division and near the top of the NHL standings, establishing themselves as legitimate contenders early in the season. They’ve been winning consistently despite significant absences, and Guerin has been constantly looking for ways to improve an already deep team. The message is becoming increasingly clear: Minnesota’s window to compete for a Stanley Cup is open, and Guerin isn’t going to waste it.

Guerin’s comments simply reinforce what many already knew: that Quinn Hughes was an extremely unlikely trade candidate, regardless of where things stand with his long-term future. Moving him would significantly damage Minnesota’s championship chances, and Guerin has little incentive to take that kind of step backward. He’s built a team capable of making a serious run, and he’s more likely to risk losing Hughes for nothing than sacrifice the opportunity to compete for a championship now.

Next: HL Trade Talk Recap: Canadiens, Oilers, Devils & Jets