What Happened
Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin said Wednesday that contract discussions with Quinn Hughes and agent Pat Brisson have not taken place in a long time. Appearing on WCCO's The Chad Hartman Show, Guerin said there is nothing to talk about right now and no date set for negotiations to resume. He added that he has not decided how to proceed and will eventually have to determine what is best for the team, while stating that having Hughes on the roster is what is best for the team.
Key Details
- Hughes is in the final year of his current contract with a $7.85 million cap hit.
- He became eligible to sign an extension with Minnesota on July 1.
- Guerin said he has not decided what he will do and there is no date for talks.
- The Wild are 9-3-2 to start the season.
- Guerin said having Hughes on the team is what is best for the team.
What It Means
Hughes is Minnesota's most important pending free agent, and Guerin's comments suggest the two sides are no closer to an extension than they were in July. The Wild's strong start has not changed the contractual situation. If talks remain stalled, Minnesota faces the possibility of losing a top defenceman in free agency with no return, though Guerin said he has not settled on a plan.
What's Next
No date has been set for negotiations to resume. Guerin said he will eventually have to decide how to handle the situation, with Hughes still eligible to sign an extension at any point during the season.