Quinn Hughes is enjoying his time with the Minnesota Wild, but the star defenceman stopped short of offering a definitive answer about his long-term future with the team.
Hughes said his focus remains firmly on Minnesota, citing the team's potential to compete and the opportunity to establish himself both individually and as part of the team.
"I'm where I've always been. I'm excited right now. My two feet are planted in Minnesota and, you know, something could happen soon. I'm not really too sure," Hughes told reporters Saturday, regarding contract talks. "I'm really enjoying playing here."
The 27-year-old has quickly embraced his surroundings in Minnesota, highlighting the team's defensive group and the potential for further improvement when forward Brock Faber returns to the lineup.
"... We have a great team," added Hughes. "First thing is, you want to get into the playoffs, but I would think that we have a chance to win this year."
Hughes also said ahead of the season that he's plenty satisfied with the direction and state of the organization and simply hasn't thought much about the next phase of his career.
“With planning out my future, I don’t do that. I don’t really plan out my summer,” Hughes said. “Just kind of went about it and enjoyed it.”
Hughes is in the final year of his current deal with a $7.85 million salary cap hit. His agent, Pat Brisson, and Wild general manager Bill Guerin have begun talks about a new contract, but for Hughes, the start of Minnesota's regular season on Oct. 1 was just a superficial deadline.
“I don't feel stressed to do something before the season,” Hughes said at the time. “And that's not saying that something won't happen, but that's just how it is.”
Fellow defenceman Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche set the bar for annual average value at $20.5 million by signing the richest deal in league history in August, but Hughes might well top that, particularly on a shorter-term contract.
There has also been speculation that Hughes wants to play alongside his younger brothers, Jack and Luke, both of whom play for the New Jersey Devils.
“I’m really happy here. I love the guys. I love the team, and I fit in really well,” Hughes said. “Obviously, there’s a draw to play with those guys at some point, but I think Jack said it perfectly: I’m not going to sacrifice a great spot for me to play with them.”
-- with files from The Associated Press
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