Quinn Hughes in no rush to get contract extension done quickly with Wild

HENDERSON, Nev. — Got contract questions?

Bring ’em on, says the most intriguing and talented impending UFA of 2027.

Those who heard Quinn Hughes speak at the NHL’s Player Media Tour Wednesday walked away with an understanding that the all-world defenceman will sign on his terms, for his price, for his chosen team.

Hughes’s decision will not be rushed by next week’s opening of training camp or the threat of media pressure.

“I don’t really care. Like, I don't care.

If someone asks me the same question 100 times, like, whatever. I feel like I'm primed to be at my best if I can stay healthy.

I feel like I’m ready to go. I think I have a lot of experiences in the past dealing with different things.

And to be honest, I kind of just feel at peace. Like, I feel excited to play,” Hughes told Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas during a recording of their 32 Thoughts podcast.

Hughes is excited to get back to Minnesota and link up with partner Brock Faber. Excited to run the Wild’s power-play.

Excited to build on last spring’s playoff victory over the Dallas Stars. And excited to hit the ground running as opposed to adjusting to a new city, dressing room, and playbook halfway through the season.

Which was the case when Wild GM Bill Guerin packaged a whack of assets and shipped them to Vancouver in a blockbuster exchange for only one-and-a-half seasons of guaranteed Hughes.

“So, for me, I just feel at peace. I feel like there’s a lot to look forward to this year.

And as far as the noise, if someone wants to ask me a question, I’m not basing decisions because I don’t want to answer questions. But I'm gonna take my time, and Billy's gonna take his time, and I'm sure it’ll work out,” Hughes continued.

I’m sure it’ll work out.

Sounds like a man who should eventually re-sign with Guerin. And definitely like a man more open to extending in Minnesota this September than he was with Vancouver last September.

32 Thoughts: The Podcast

Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.

Wild fans might keep that “I’m sure it’ll work out” quote for receipts.

“I can’t control who posts what. I mean, I'm saying what I'm saying, and whoever wants to post any tidbit is welcome to do so,” Hughes said.

“I'm just going through the process. And like I said, I don't feel boxed into doing anything because the media wants to ask me a question, or I'm worried about people asking me a question in every city.

I feel at peace. I'm ready to go.

I think Wild fans should be really excited about watching us play.

“Guys are hungry, and we're healthy, and you guys know Billy. I mean, Billy can make a massive trade and add to our team at any point.

So, I think a lot of the fans should be extremely excited.”

Firmly in his prime, ready for a monster raise, enthused by a trade he instigated, and fresh off a historic Olympic gold medal win, Hughes is bubbling with confidence.

He wonders if the Wild would’ve knocked out Colorado in Round 2 had Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin been healthy — which they are now. And the lines of communication with Guerin, with whom Hughes has built a trusting relationship since his will-he-or-won’t-he?

4 Nations experience, remain wide open.

“Me and Billy, we’ll be talking more, I'm sure. I don't feel necessarily like something needs to get done in the next day or so.

If it does, then it does. But for right now, I'm just excited to get going,” Hughes said.

“I’m a very thoughtful person. Every little part and detail goes into decision-making.

“At the end of the day, I got to do what's best for myself. I think I've earned that right.

You play seven, eight years to get to UFA and decide what you want to do. And I do love it in Minnesota.”

Here are a couple little details Hughes will be considering.

Wild owner Craig Leipold has announced publicly that he will re-sign Hughes, and Leipold approved the $17 million AAV that Minnesota star Kirill Kaprizov wowed the hockey world with last September. Hughes is more valuable than Kaprizov.

And comparable defenceman Cale Makar just signed a record-breaking eight-year extension with Colorado that will pay Hughes' fellow Norris winner $20.4 million per season.

“He deserves that and more,” Hughes said.

Now, the belief is that Hughes would prefer less term (three years?), but given the landscape and Leipold’s history of backing up the Brink’s, why couldn’t he become the NHL’s highest-paid defenceman?

“That would be an incredible honour. I definitely didn't go into my career thinking that was ever going to be a possibility.

I mean, I’ve made 7.85 the last couple years, but I still think I'm one of the best, if not the best. So, it's not like I need to raise the bar to prove anything.

You just gotta watch me on the ice. But I do think it’s important that if you’re good at your job, you should get paid accordingly,” Hughes said.

“I believe in fair deals.”

And it’s fair to say the most outwardly confident superstar in Las Vegas this week will get paid.