The Minnesota Wild already faced a difficult negotiation with Quinn Hughes. Cale Makar’s record-setting extension with the Colorado Avalanche has made it even more complicated.
Makar signed an eight-year, $163.2 million extension carrying a $20.4 million average annual value which makes him the highest-paid player in NHL history. The contract establishes a new ceiling for elite defencemen and gives Hughes’ camp an obvious comparable when negotiations with Minnesota intensify.
Hughes Can Justifiably Ask for Makar Money
Makar has the stronger overall resume, including two Norris Trophies, a Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe Trophy. However, Hughes belongs in the same tier of game-changing defencemen.
The former Norris Trophy winner immediately became the centrepiece of Minnesota’s blue line after arriving from the Vancouver Canucks. He recorded 53 points in 48 regular-season games with the Wild while averaging an NHL-leading 27:44 of ice time. Hughes then added 15 points in 11 playoff games.
Hughes is entering the final season of the six-year, $47.1 million contract he signed with Vancouver in 2021. He can become an unrestricted free agent in 2027, giving him significant leverage over the Wild.
Even if Minnesota argues that Hughes should earn slightly less than Makar, his next cap hit could reasonably approach $20 million. If Hughes wants a shorter contract instead of committing for the maximum term, the Wild must also determine whether that arrangement truly protects their future.
New Jersey Will Remain a Concern
The possibility of Hughes eventually joining his brothers, Jack and Luke, with the New Jersey Devils will continue hanging over Minnesota.
There has been no confirmation that Hughes intends to sign with New Jersey in 2027, and he has publicly expressed openness to remaining with the Wild. However, the family connection is impossible to ignore. Jack and Luke are already foundational pieces for the Devils, making New Jersey the most logical destination if Quinn prioritizes playing with his brothers.
That possibility makes a short-term extension risky as well. A three-year agreement would align Quinn’s next free agency with Jack’s in 2030, potentially giving the brothers another opportunity to coordinate their futures.
Wild Cannot Risk Losing Hughes for Nothing
Minnesota paid an enormous price to acquire Hughes, sending Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Öhgren and a 2026 first-round pick to Vancouver. Allowing him to leave without recovering assets would turn that aggressive move into a potentially disastrous piece of asset management.
Replacing Hughes would be nearly impossible. No available player could easily replicate his skating, offensive creation, transition ability and heavy workload. Nevertheless, losing him for nothing would be worse than accepting that reality and beginning the search for multiple pieces capable of collectively replacing his impact.
The Wild should present Hughes with their strongest long-term offer. If he rejects it or remains unwilling to commit before the trade deadline, general manager Bill Guerin must seriously consider moving him.
Hughes would command one of the largest trade returns in recent NHL history. Minnesota cannot perfectly replace its franchise defenceman, but it could acquire premium prospects, first-round selections and NHL-ready talent. With Makar establishing the market and free agency approaching, the Wild need clarity from Hughes—because hoping he stays is no longer a sufficient strategy.
Next: 3 “Would You Rather” Questions Following Cale Makar’s New Deal
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