Why Quinn Hughes is likely to sign exactly a 3-year contract extension with Wild

The Minnesota Wild are allowed to sign superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes to an extension on July 1.

The Wild are hoping to get that deal done quickly. Hughes is crucial to everything they do, and he was brilliant following his midseason trade to Minnesota from the Vancouver Canucks.

"The Wild would like Hughes as long as they can have him," ESPN's Emily Kaplan wrote in a new article this week. "(Bill) Guerin acts with conviction, the owner has no problem signing checks for big-time talent (see: Kirill Kaprizov) so this could be a massive deal."

Hughes wants to win, as he did with Team USA at the Olympics, and the Wild certainly have a highly competitive roster.

He also seemed to positively embrace his time with the Wild after coming over from a struggling Vancouver franchise.

"The expectation around the league is that Hughes ultimately re-signs in Minnesota," Kaplan writes.

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The ESPN insider then provides a caveat: Hughes is likely to aim for a three-year extension.

Why? That aligns with his brother Jack.

If Quinn gets a three-year extension, he and the New Jersey Devils star will hit free agency at the same time. That would allow them to pursue a chance to play together.

Obviously, a lot can happen in three years, including ups and downs, injuries or trades.

But if Quinn got that timeline, and he and Jack stayed on solid paths, they might eventually get the chance to be NHL teammates.

In the meantime, the Wild probably wouldn't complain too much. A few more years of Quinn Hughes would be a great outcome for Minnesota.

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