Defenseman Quinn Hughes has been a dynamo for the Wild in the early weeks of the 2026-2027 schedule. He’s been a workhorse eating up minutes and his total points of 22 is tied for seventh best in the NHL and second among defensemen.
His overall play has been huge in helping the Wild to a successful start with a Central Division leading 25 points. The Wild’s acquisition of the 27-year-old from the Canucks last December was a home run move by general manager Bill Guerin.
Sports Headliners asked owner Craig Leipold on Monday if he, Guerin or coach John Hynes is surprised by Hughes’ performance this fall. “No, I don’t think we are surprised. He’s a special player. We knew that when we acquired him from Vancouver. He’s better than we probably thought he would be.
“He’s a game changer and you know as a result we want to sign him for as long as we can. And your next question is, well, what progress are you making?
“You know, honestly who knows? It will be his decision, and you know we certainly hope he stays here as long as possible.”
Hughes can become a free agent in July of next year. The Wild has made its desire to retain the superstar abundantly clear and hockey authorities believe he could command a league high $20.8 million per season in his next contract.
Hughes told The Athletic in an October 1 article he is happy playing in Minnesota and “I love the team.” He didn’t express urgency, though, to get a deal done.
Asked whether he would prefer to keep an unsigned Hughes when the NHL trade deadline in February approaches, Leipold said: “We’re not at that place. It’s not that time yet.”
Keeping Hughes, even if he tells the Wild he won’t sign an extension, could lead to a Stanley Cup championship next spring. Hughes reportedly said late last month a contract extension could happen soon.
Leipold said conversations are ongoing and that Hughes is “very positive about the market and about the team.” The owner also believes Hughes knows the franchise is committed to winning and spending the money that goes with that.
An NHL insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the speculation about Hughes wanting to join his brothers, Jack and Luke, with the Devils could mean he will move on after this year. He added, though, if the Wild can acquire Red Wings disgruntled center Dylan Larkin that might “cinch” a Hughes commitment to Minnesota.
Larkin is currently suspended and wants to be traded. The 30-year-old former Red Wings captain is friends with Hughes. The star forward might transform the Wild into Stanley Cup favorites and create a three-to-five-year window where Minnesota is the place NHL titles are decided.
Leipold said that if Hughes decides he won’t do an extension the owner has confidence in Guerin making the most out of the circumstances. Nobody, though, with the Wild, or its fans, wish to see that development,
Leipold remains friends with former Wild star defenseman Ryan Suter, age 41. “He’s in great shape,” Leipold said. “I think he could play right now.”
Suter’s son Brooks is an elite prospect. He turns 16 later this month and is on the U.S. under 17 national team and plays junior hockey in the USHL. Leipold refers to Brooks as a “superstar” and predicts eventually he will go higher in the NHL Draft than his father who was selected at No. 7 by the Predators in 2003.
Ryan and another player with Minnesota ties, former Golden Gopher Phil Kessel, are part of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Inductions will be November 30 in Washington D.C. and Leipold said the Wild will have representation there.
Gophers and Tommies Hoops Preview
A men’s college basketball insider familiar with Minnesota and St. Thomas said the officials will be a major factor in Friday night’s game between the two teams at The Barn. The bigger Gophers will have an advantage if the officials allow a physical style of play as seen in the Big Ten.
The two schools are playing for the first time since 1934 with a projected attendance of around 10,000. Fans have clamored for the matchup for years between the mid-major Tommies and power conference Gophers. It’s kind of a David versus Goliath match up with the Tommies only in their sixth season of Division I and membership in the Summit League.
The insider joked that the Tommies, who will receive an unannounced financial guarantee for the game, would have played the game for “three cases of Coke.” He refers to Friday night as “a favor game” by Gopher coach Niko Medved and said there is little or no benefit to the matchup for Minnesota.
The Tommies are solid underdogs but could make the game competitive. John Tauer is a terrific coach, and his teams play with discipline and savvy. If the three-point focused Tommies are shooting bullseyes, and the Gophers are lethargic, the outcome could be interesting.
Graduate student 6-foot-9 forward Carter Bjerke, from Wayzata High School, is among the St. Thomas three-point producers. He is the program’s all-time leader in making threes and connected on a school record tying 10 last season against Kansas City.
The Tommies are predicted to finish second in their eight-team conference, per the Summit League official poll. The Gophers are projected to finish 10th or lower in the 18-team Big Ten.
The Tommies are 1-0 in the regular season with a 87-78 road win over Presbyterian. Minnesota is 1-0 after defeating North Dakota at home, 85-50.
“It’s a big game for St. Thomas,” the source said.
Worth Noting
Timely meeting: Alex Rodriguez, Timberwolves and Lynx owner, and baseball legend, speaks to the Capital Club Thursday, November 12. The Wolves season has started, the Lynx’s recently concluded, and Rodriguez covered the World Series for Fox Sports. The breakfast program will be held at Mendakota Country Club. For more information on the breakfast and program, contact Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketing.com