When Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin pulled off the blockbuster trade that brought Quinn Hughes to the State of Hockey last December, the star defenseman's long-term future quickly became a hot topic. While the immediate focus was on how Hughes might help the Wild chase a Stanley Cup, questions lingered about whether he was just a two-year rental after Guerin shipped three regular players and a first-round pick to Vancouver.
On Friday, just hours after the Wild's season ended, Hughes put those doubts to rest. "I really like it here. I would definitely be open to re-signing," he said as players cleaned out their lockers. "We'll see what Billy wants to do. But I would definitely be open to re-signing here."
Hughes made an immediate splash in hockey-crazy Minnesota. In just five months, he rewrote the franchise record book for defensemen, forming one of the NHL's elite top pairings alongside Brock Faber. Through 48 regular-season games, he posted five goals and 48 assists—setting franchise records for points (53) and assists by a blueliner in a single season. In the playoffs, he tied Kirill Kaprizov for the team lead with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) over 11 games, with both he and Faber finishing at plus-10.
Signed through next season, Hughes can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027, but the Wild hold exclusive rights to negotiate an extension. The 25-year-old also acknowledged the family connection that fans dream about: his younger brothers, Jack and Luke, play for the New Jersey Devils. Much like the Foligno brothers finally reunited in Minnesota this season, there's a growing notion that all three Hughes boys might one day wear matching sweaters.
Reflecting on his arrival, Hughes recalled the standing ovation from fans in St. Paul the first time he touched the ice for warmups. "I love the team, love the city and the fans," he said. "Just being in that locker room, it's a special group. I would definitely be open to re-signing here."
For now, Hughes heads back to Michigan to talk things over with his family and agent. But for Wild fans dreaming of a long-term future with their new star defenseman, the message is clear: Hughes is ready to stay.