What will happen in Minnesota with Quinn Hughes?
Elliotte Friedman joined NHL Tonight on NHL Network with Jamison Coyle, Mike Rupp, and Cory Schneider. He was asked about the rising cap, how it can affect a team’s salary cap, more specifically a team like the Minnesota Wild and the implications for a Quinn Hughes extension.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin on the Quinn Hughes Situation
Cory Schneider: “But Elliotte, just kind of piggybacking off this, you mentioned that the league isn’t as maybe optimistic that the cap’s going to continue growing $8 million to $10 million a year. At what point do these teams hit a critical mass? Where, if you’re in Minnesota, can I have a $17 million player in (Kirill) Kaprizov and a $19 million player in Quinn Hughes? They’re making 40 percent, 35 percent of the cap. We’re getting towards like, an NBA model of two or three guys eating up half the cap.
Where do the teams sort of draw the line, say, ‘we can’t sustain this?’ Because this seems to be the new trend that if you’re an elite player, you’re going to get $15 to $20 million. But eventually, if the cap doesn’t grow the way they hope it will, you’re going to be eating up a lot of that salary for two or three players.
Elliotte Friedman: “Well, I think that’s the dance everybody’s doing. Like, and Cory, I think that’s the key right now. Is that, you know what, what do you think? Where do you think the cap is going? We already know the cap next year is going to be $113 million. So where do you think it’s going to be in two years? Where do you think it’s going to be in four years? Like, what are your projections? What are the projections you’re getting?
What’s the Holdup of Quinn Hughes Signing an Extension with the Minnesota Wild?
Like, that’s why, Cory, this whole situation right now, with possible expansion, the next US TV deal being two years away. Everyone’s looking at that and saying that’s probably the biggest X factor that we’re dealing with over the next 12 to 24 months. If the U.S. footprint gets better, if we do go to Houston or if we do go to Atlanta. If Arizona can sort its building out, are people confident that that’s going to lead to a bigger TV deal? I think for everybody, that’s the one thing that’s going to answer that question as much as anything else.
I think right now with Minnesota, number one, you look at: do we have to have the player? And I think everybody would say yes. You need a Quinn Hughes. Now, now you’re looking at Quinn Hughes. My prediction, and I said it at the beginning of the summer, where the Hughes would sign for three times $18 million.
Well, that was before (Leo) Carlsson’s deal, and that was before (Cale) Makar’s deal. So I think that right now it really rests with the player. And I’ll say this: like, would it be $20 million? Like, as the four of us sit here right now, would any of us be surprised if the number was right around $20 million? I don’t think any of us would.
Several Factors Playing a Role in Quinn Hughes Negotiations in Minnesota
I think the thing that helps Minnesota here is I’m not convinced Hughes wants term. I could be wrong, but I think we all know the situation with Jack (Hughes) having a few more years to go and four more years to go, and Quinn having one, and then signing for three; I think that’s the thing here that helps Minnesota.
Now, Bill Guerin, he’s a gambler. I think he could do anything, and I say that with all due respect. But I don’t think Hughes wants long-term, and I think that will help Minnesota deal with this in the next couple of years. Particularly when guys like (Matt) Boldy, who is probably their next most important player, is already signed for what’s going to be one of them.
Like Boldy and Moritz Seider, they might have the two best contracts in the NHL right now, just for how young they are and what they’re signed at and what their term is. And I do think that the Wild and Hughes are going to be meeting soon to start hashing this out, where they are and where they’re going.”
NHLRumors.com Note: The salary cap is changing; however, that doesn’t mean teams can overspend. As one executive told NHLRumors.com, “The top guys are still getting their money, but that means the bottom guys are getting more too. You need depth to be successful. When top guys take up a majority of the cap, it is hard to construct a successful team.”
NHL Rumors: Expect Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar to Reset the Market Again
Therein lies the problem for the Minnesota Wild. The Wild went down this road with Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, and it hurt their ability to construct a winning team. Minnesota needs to be able to put a contending team on the ice if and when they extend Quinn Hughes. Two guys making between $35 and $40 million, Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes, is tough when the team has other needs.
Many believe Quinn Hughes will stay, but only he knows. The Wild need a number one center. Plus, Jesper Wallstedt will need a new deal.
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