Quinn Hughes and John Hynes enter August with Minnesota still unable to secure the defenseman on a new contract.
That delay is starting to change the conversation. What once looked like an eventual Wild extension is now creating a legitimate opening for New Jersey to monitor.
Bill Guerin said he's remained in contact with Hughes' camp, describing the negotiation as a process involving major decisions for both sides.
Minnesota has already held a face-to-face meeting with Hughes, while owner Craig Leipold previously expressed strong confidence that an extension would get done.
The sticking point reportedly centers on term. Hughes has one season remaining, and reports indicate he prefers a shorter commitment that could eventually line up his free agency with brother Jack Hughes.
That possibility immediately puts the Devils back into the discussion. New Jersey pursued Quinn before Minnesota acquired him and has something no other NHL organization can offer: Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes already together.
New Jersey is positioned for another Quinn Hughes push
The Devils also have financial flexibility coming. Their projected 2027-28 commitments sit around $81,000,000 against an expected $113,500,000 ceiling, creating substantial room for another elite contract.
There are trade pieces available too. Anton Silayev, Mikhail Yegorov and Alexander Command remain in the prospect pool, while Dawson Mercer represents an established roster player who could interest Minnesota.
New Jersey also added future draft capital this summer, giving general manager Sunny Mehta different ways to construct a package without relying on one type of asset.
Minnesota's leverage would depend heavily on Hughes' willingness to sign elsewhere. If he indicated New Jersey was his preferred long-term destination, other clubs could become more reluctant to surrender premium pieces.
The Devils could simply wait for unrestricted free agency, but that carries its own danger. Guerin still has time to reach an extension or move Hughes somewhere willing to secure him before New Jersey ever gets that opportunity.
That's what makes the current delay significant. Nobody is reporting that Hughes has rejected Minnesota or requested another trade, but the certainty surrounding his Wild future has clearly weakened.
If the extension remains unfinished, New Jersey won't need to manufacture a reason to call. The Devils have the cap room, young assets and family connection to turn stalled negotiations in Minnesota into one of the NHL's biggest trade stories.
Will Quinn Hughes eventually force his way to the New Jersey Devils?
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