The New York Rangers fanbase is currently awaiting the start of training camp and preseason games to see what this new iteration of the team might bring after two awful seasons. This is a Rangers team in the middle of a retool, as they parted ways with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck to bring in the likes of Pavel Dorofeyev, Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson, and prospects Liam Greentree and Cole Beaudoin. The goal was to replenish their prospect pool while adding players who could help them contend for the playoffs now.
While the Rangers have their roster essentially set, the New Jersey Devils fanbase is hoping the team makes one last big addition. After missing the playoffs last season, the Devils already made a variety of additions, such as Anthony Mantha and Evan Rodrigues. But Devils fans are continuously holding out hope that the team will be able to land Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes. With Hughes still not agreeing to terms on a contract extension with the Wild, Devils fans are hoping that the team will be able to pull off the family reunion dream.
But as has been the case through the majority of the offseason, there simply aren't any updates on Hughes and contract talks with the Wild. As such, the Devils fanbase are living and dying by every update, no matter how inconclusive they are.
NHL world awaits some clarity on Quinn Hughes contract situation with Wild
After giving up three of their best young players in their prospect pool and a first-round draft pick, the Wild were hoping that they would be able to retain Hughes beyond the 2026-27 season. Hughes expressed interest in re-signing with the Wild after their the end of their playoff run. So, things were seemingly trending in the right direction for the Wild.
But here we are, in September, with no real clarity on the situation. But there is plenty of speculation.
Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has said numerous times that he believes the two sides will come to an agreement. But he expressed pessimism if they get closer to the start of the season without a deal.
Recently, The Athletic's Michael Russo said during the Worst Seats in the House podcast that everything that he's been told is that Hughes intends to re-sign with the Wild. These comments come after the Colorado Avalanche signed star defenseman Cale Makar to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension.
"The only thing I could say is, and this is not from the Wild's side, is that everything I'm hearing from Quinn's side is that so far, he's given the Wild every impression that his intention is to sign," said Russo. "So we'll see. If Cale Makar doesn't kickstart things, then obviously there's a bit of an issue here."
General manager Bill Guerin made the rounds on Monday speaking with a variety of outlets. The main questions he answered were about the status of contract discussions with Hughes. Even with the lack of progress, Guerin said he is confident that he'll be able to reach an agreement with Hughes.
“I’m confident. That’s the luxury I have of being on the inside,” Guerin said, h/t NHL.com. “There’s always the other side of it. I can be confident, you can be insecure, you just have to work through the process of the negotiations, figuring out what the player wants, what it will take to keep him, make him happy.”
Guerin also brought up the point that last year, it seemed as though the Wild and Kirill Kaprizov were not going to be able to reach a deal on an extension before the start of the season. Yet, seemingly out of nowhere, the Wild and Kaprizov agreed to terms on an eight-year, $136 million contract extension. Maybe, just maybe, the same will happen with Hughes.
Devils fans are holding out hope for Quinn Hughes' Minnesota exit that might not happen
Look, Rangers fans know what the Devils fanbase is hoping for. They want Hughes to orchestrate an "escape plan" from Minnesota by way of walking into free agency. That way, they can sign Quinn to a contract, and allow him to play with his younger brothers, Jack and Luke, in New Jersey. The family has said (especially Jack), that they would like to all play on the same team at some point during their NHL careers.
Jack is under contract until 2030. Luke is under contract until 2032. The dream of Devils fans would be for Quinn to sign with them next summer. Yet, that still isn't a given.
There is a strong likelihood Quinn does stay in Minnesota, but on a three-year extension. That way, he and Jack can both hit free agency together, if they so choose.
Either way, the Devils fanbase is waiting eagerly for new updates on a dream that may never come to fruition. As for the Rangers faithful, yes, the expectations are low heading into this season, but there is plenty of intrigue about their chances of rebounding.
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