Time is running out for the Minnesota Wild to secure a new deal for blue-liner Quinn Hughes, especially following the massive contract extension signed by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar today.
Makar agreed to a milestone eight-year agreement valued at $163.4 million, establishing himself as the most highly compensated athlete in the history of the NHL. This landmark deal makes him the inaugural league skater to command an average annual salary exceeding $20 million.
Colorado secured Makar’s services for an eight-year term prior to the implementation of the new collective bargaining agreement on September 16. Under the incoming CBA regulations, any contract extensions finalized on or after that date will be capped at a maximum of seven years rather than eight.
Given his stellar track record, Makar undoubtedly earned this lucrative commitment. His resume boasts six straight Norris Trophy nominations—with two victories—alongside a Stanley Cup championship and a Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year following the 2019-20 campaign.
Furthermore, he set records as the fastest defenseman in NHL history to achieve both 200 regular-season points and 100 postseason points. He is poised to live up to the immense value of this contract throughout its duration.
Consequently, the spotlight shifts to the terms of Hughes’ impending contract, raising questions about whether talks will stretch into the start of training camp.
League insider Elliotte Friedman reports that discussions between Hughes and the Wild have remained relatively stagnant. Up to this point, there has been minimal dialogue regarding a long-term extension for the former captain of the Vancouver Canucks.
Structuring Quinn Hughes’ Future Contract
An important detail to consider for Hughes’ upcoming deal, provided it is completed ahead of the new CBA policy shift, is the option to front-load the financial terms.
Additionally, signing bonuses can be structured to comprise almost the entire financial layout of the agreement, reducing his base salary to the league’s absolute minimum.
Once the revised CBA regulations are enforced on Sept. 16, total signing bonuses cannot exceed a threshold of 60% of the contract’s overall value.
Furthermore, the year with the lowest payout under the contract must equal at least 71% of the earnings in the highest-paying year.
Hughes and his representatives must negotiate effectively to secure a package comparable to Makar’s, though Minnesota’s General Manager Bill Guerin must also be willing to meet those demands.
The Wild successfully finalized a deal with Kirill Kaprizov during training camp last year, and they find themselves in a similar scenario with Hughes today. Ultimately, the urgency depends on how heavily the upcoming CBA restrictions weigh on both sides during these ongoing talks.
The Influence of Hughes Since Arriving in Minnesota
Following his trade from Vancouver last December, Hughes has experienced a dynamic shift in his career trajectory, highlighted by a major achievement on the international stage at the Olympic Games.
He contributed to Team USA capturing the gold medal against Canada in February. On top of that, he played a pivotal role in guiding the Wild to their first postseason series victory since 2015.
During Minnesota’s playoff push, Hughes recorded an impressive 53 points across 48 appearances after his acquisition. This production ranked as the third-highest point total among all NHL defensemen from December 13 onward.
With Hughes anchoring the blue line, the Wild put together a formidable 29-15-7 record to secure their ticket to the postseason.
The defenseman also registered 22 power-play points for Minnesota, elevating the team’s man-advantage success rate to a stellar 27.8% following his arrival.
Wrapping up his seventh complete year in the league with 76 points in 74 matchups, he will look to sustain this high level of play during his first full-season campaign with the Wild.
Connect with Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
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