Report: Quinn Hughes' Extension Is Getting Closer; Rumored AAV Floated

11 days ago, Quinn Hughes became eligible for an extension with the Minnesota Wild. He's heading into the final season of his six-year, $7.85 million AAV deal. Insider David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, appearing on the Hello Hockey podcast, said that the two sides are getting close and that Hughes' new deal will carry a cap hit of at least $17 million.

Quinn Hughes’ extension with the Wild is reportedly getting closer. 👀

David Pagnotta says the deal is expected to come in at around $17 million AAV… if not higher. 💰😳 pic.twitter.com/qfTju8SQIw

— NHLMuse (@NHL_Muse) July 12, 2026

"Quinn Hughes's extension... they're getting there, is going to be around $17 (million AAV), if not higher."

As for the term, he didn't discuss that, but Elliotte Friedman has repeatedly projected that Hughes will likely sign a three-year term. We'll have to wait for word on that. 

$17 million, of course, is the number that first broke the NHL's salary structure, when the Wild extended their superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov for that number on a long-term deal last year. Will Hughes nudge just above him? 

Either way, the Wild will be paying two players $34M or more as of the 2027-28 season. The salary cap for that year is expected to rise to $113.5M (from this coming year's $104M). That would mean that Kaprizov & Hughes combined would be taking up 30% of the Minnesota cap. Given that any individual player can receive up to 20% of the salary cap, it's... reasonable? 

It'll be mighty interesting to see how GM Bill Guerin is able to build a viable team around two players at that cap level. 

The Wild acquired Hughes—a former Norris Trophy winner and one of the top two or three defensemen in hockey—in a blockbuster trade with the Vancouver Canucks earlier this past season. He did not disappoint, posting 53 points in 48 games with Minnesota, while logging a whopping 27:54 average ice time per night. His season average of 27:44 led the NHL.