Last season the Minnesota Wild played like a team that could compete with the best clubs in the NHL. The Wild isn’t a heavy favorite (Hurricanes and Avs) to win the Stanley Cup next year, but Minnesota is keeping company with the top six or so NHL elites.
The Wild’s “window” for the next few seasons looks like the best in franchise history. To keep the “windowpane” clear, the Wild need to retain Quinn Hughes whose contract expires next July.
Wild owner Craig Leipold spoke with Sports Headliners earlier this week and said talks between Hughes’ agent and Wild general manager Bill Guerin began a couple of weeks ago.
“We’re making progress,” Leipold said. “I don’t think there’s anything imminent, but we all know we want to sign him, and we believe he wants to stay here. So, I feel good that there’s going to be a resolution and hopefully he’ll be happy and we’ll be happy but…until it’s done you never know.”
What’s the tone of the conversations?
“Positive. Very positive,” Leipold said. “I mean we are not discouraged at all with the way the conversation has gone. We feel like he wants to play here. He has said that. He liked it here. He likes our team. I mean everybody on the team loves him.
“I really do feel like we’re going to get something done. It’s just a question of how many years will it be. And that will probably be really up to Quinn. How long does he want to stay here?”
Substance of the talks?
“They haven’t really homed in on anything,” Leipold said. “So, I’ve kind of asked the same question of Billy and it’s like: You know, we’re just everything is a brainstorm right now. …Is it eight years? If it’s five years. If it’s three years. So, until they lock into the length of the contract and the amount, Billy and the agent are still talking.”
The 26-year-old Orlando, Florida born Hughes is among the best defensemen in the NHL. His next contract could be a three-year deal at $16 to $18 million average annual value (salary and bonuses). That could move him ahead of Wild superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov’s reported $17 million.
For years the Wild has been searching for a star centerman who could further increase the team’s chances of bringing the Stanley Cup to Minnesota. Leipold said the commitment is ongoing.
“Absolutely. We have recognized for 10 years that a No. 1 centerman is what we need and we’ve needed it for a long time. We have such a great team and to get a No. 1 centerman is very hard to do and usually you have to draft that person. So, we’d love to fill that position. It would be an important move on our team if we could.”
Red Wings standout center Dylan Larkin wants out in Detroit. He is 29, has a favorable contract at a reported $8.7 million annually and his name has been linked to Minnesota.
“We really can’t comment on it because he’s under contract,” Leipold said. “And honestly, I really know (only) what’s happening based on what I read in the newspaper. I am sure Billy has been talking to (outgoing Detroit boss) Steve Yzerman, but we don’t really discuss that. …He’s under contract and we need to respect that.”
Guerin isn’t reluctant to trade as he’s shown in the past, including the deal that brought Hughes from the Canucks to Minnesota last December. Who might be considered untouchable on the Wild roster regarding a trade?
“Billy and I have never had that conversation,” Leipold answered. “But I could bet…if I were to ask Billy, I think he and I would probably be in agreement with who they would be. Your next question would be, well, who would that be and I wouldn’t answer that.”
Whatever happens this offseason, Wild fans are eager to see more of their team. Leipold said about 95 percent of season tickets have been renewed, right in line with the best percentages in franchise history dating back to the 2000-2001 season. The recent renewal happened even though there was, Leipold said, an increase in all ticket price categories.
Asked about a summer message to fans, the owner said: “…We’re working hard to not just be better but to be elite. That is our goal. We have a really, really great core of players. And as good as the players we have, we want to get better, and if we do get better than we are today, then that makes us an elite team if we can do that. And that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Leipold purchased a minority stake in the Twins last year. Does he see that expanding?
“I don’t see it right now. I am having a lot of fun in the investment that I have right now—which we’re not publicizing what the investment is, or how much it is.
“But I’ve been to six games. We need more people out there.
“This (team) depth is so exciting right now. It’s fun to go to the games. They’re fast, they’re two hours and 35 minutes on average…about the same as a hockey game. It moves quickly. So, the rule changes they have had, I think have been very positively received.
“But I am really enjoying the experience with (the Pohlad family Twins leader) Tom Pohlad, and what the Twins are doing, and I am excited about baseball. I think it’s a good sport right now to be involved in from an investment standpoint.”
Does Leipold rule out acquiring more of the baseball franchise in the future?
“I wouldn’t rule out anything. We all want to see how the collective bargaining agreement turns out (current agreement ends December 1).”