The Minnesota Wild will face a pivotal decision regarding Quinn Hughes if the star defenseman remains without an extension as the 2027 NHL trade deadline approaches: trade him or keep him.
Wild general manager Bill Guerin said Tuesday he'd be open to holding onto him past the March 1 deadline, according to NHL.com's Nicholas Cotsonika.
"Honestly, we're a better team with Quinn Hughes, so I mean, I want to keep him as long as I possibly can," Guerin said. "Whether it's three months, three years, seven years, whatever, we're a better team with Quinn Hughes."
Hughes is in the final year of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end.
A report in August stated the Wild were confident they'd ink Hughes to an extension before the start of the 2026-27 season, but a deal didn't materialize. In late October, Guerin said he wouldn't beg Hughes to sign.
Guerin reiterated on Tuesday the situation remains unchanged.
"Honestly, I just want him to focus on hockey," Guerin said. "Like I said, he knows what's going on in his head. He understands everything."
Hughes ranks second among NHL defensemen with 26 points in 19 games this season. The Wild acquired the 2024 Norris Trophy winner in a blockbuster trade with the Vancouver Canucks last season.
