The Minnesota Wild have enjoyed a successful season to this point as they once again qualified for the postseason with a strong regular season run. They finished with a 46-24-12 record, which gave them 104 points in the standings.
What has been the Wild’s undoing in recent seasons has been the playoffs. Prior to this year, Minnesota had not won a playoff series since 2015. That changed with their first round victory over the Dallas Stars.
A big part of Minnesota’s reversal in playoff fortunes has been the play of the newcomer, defenseman Quinn Hughes. Hughes was acquired from the Wild via the Vancouver Canucks in what was the blockbuster trade of this past season. With Hughes only having one year remaining on his contract, the question has been whether or not the team will be able to extend the Norris winner when the time comes.
Insider believes Quinn Hughes Will Extend in Minnesota
The good news for Wild fans is it seems likely that Hughes will re-up with Minnesota. Insider Elliotte Friedman has predicted on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Hughes will sign a three year extension with Minnesota. That would lock Hughes in with Minnesota until at least 2030 if that deal comes to fruition. This contract will no doubt be considerably richer than his current $7.85 million deal that expires in 2027.
Hughes has been a revelation on the Wild blueline since he arrived with the team. The chemistry he has formed with Brock Faber on Minnesota’s top d-pair has been dynamic. The Hughes-Faber duo has made their mark as one of the best defensive pairings in the league.
It has been another productive season for Hughes as he amassed seven goals and 69 assists for 76 points in 74 regular season games split between the Canucks and Wild. He has recorded two goals and six assists in six playoff games thus far with Minnesota.
Hughes has achieved success this year outside of his Wild duties as well. He took home a gold medal in the 2026 Olympics with Team USA. Hughes was one of USA’s best players in the tournament as he registered one goal and seven assists in six games.
Hughes Looking to Lead Minnesota to Stanley Cup
Minnesota has not yet won a Stanley Cup in their 25 year franchise history. In fact, they have never even reached the finals itself. The postseason has historically been a struggle for this organization with only five playoff series wins in their entire existence.
Hughes will be looking to help change that. His Wild will be in for a major test as they face off against the President’s trophy winning Colorado Avalanche in round 2. If Minnesota were to prevail against Colorado that would be the team’s first western conference finals appearance since 2003.
Minnesota and Colorado has the makings of an entertaining playoff matchup. This Wild team appears primed to take the fight to the Avalanche. There is the case this is the best team they have had in their history with a talented core consisting of the likes of Hughes, Faber, Kirill Kaprizov, Matthew Boldy, Mats Zuccarello and Joel Eriksson Ek.
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