NHL Rumor Mill – August 5, 2026
Are the Wild any closer to re-signing Quinn Hughes or acquiring Dylan Larkin? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
YARDBARKER: Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin joined SKOR North’s Judd’s Hockey Show on Tuesday to discuss his contract extension talks with Quinn Hughes.
“I’ve been talking to Quinn and his camp all along,” Guerin said. “Like I said last year with Kirill (Kaprizov), these things take time. They’re big decisions for players. They’re big decisions for teams. So, it’s a process to work through, and this is no different than any other big contract negotiation.”
Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).
Hughes, 26, is in the final season of his contract and is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July. It was reported last week that Guerin met with the defenseman and his representatives in Michigan to discuss a new deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored the Wild prefer to sign Hughes to a five-to-eight year extension before Sept. 16, when the maximum length for extensions will be shortened to seven years. However, the superstar blueliner could seek a three-year deal that expires at the same time as his brother Jack’s contract with the New Jersey Devils.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Hockey Now’s James Nichols believes the longer Hughes goes without an extension with the Wild, the more it benefits the Devils.
If the Wild aren’t able to re-sign Hughes, it raises the possibility that he could sign with the Devils next July, reuniting him with Jack and their younger brother, Luke. Nichols pointed out that the Devils have a projected $32 million in salary-cap space for 2027-28, with 14 active-roster players under contract and Dawson Mercer as their most notable player set to be a free agent.
Guerin also spoke about his search for a first-line center. The Wild are among the preferred destinations for Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade following last season. However, his situation remains uncertain as the Red Wings search for a new general manager.
The possibility of starting next season without an established first-line center doesn’t concern Guerin. He believes his club must remain patient and wait for the right opportunity to present itself, though he stressed that he would continue seeking ways to improve his club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been reported the Wild and Red Wings had discussed a trade involving Larkin, but the latter was unimpressed with an offer of draft picks and younger players, preferring an established player as part of the return. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos claimed last month that the Wings’ asking price was winger Matt Boldy, but the Wild aren’t giving up a star of his caliber.
Larkin’s situation will likely remain unresolved until the Wings hire their new general manager, who might be more flexible in trade discussions if Larkin still wants out. Otherwise, Guerin will have to look elsewhere for a first-line center.
The Wild have done pretty well without a
“ first line” center . Tough division and they will need a Larkin to advance , in theory.
“The Wild have done pretty well without a
“ first line” center.”
Huh?
They won one round and then got taken out behind the shed and put out of their misery.
They absolutely need a 1C if they’re going to advance.
Agree, for the Wild to get to the finals they likely have to beat 2 maybe 3 of these teams with some very strong center depth.
Mackinnon Nelson kadri
Roope Johnson duchene
Mcdavid draisaitl dickinson
Eichel karlsson hertl
For Ek, Yurov and Hartman that is a tall ask and I am taking nothing away from those guys. Now of course the wild have the edge on some of those teams in other facets, and come playoff time injuries and availability are factors. But all else remaining equal, this is a well noted weakness when matching up with the other contenders for sure.
Minn needs to trade Quinn to NJ for. Mercer 2 firsts and a prospect d man. Then trade Mercer and a first for Larkin
No and no…….
“Then trade Mercer and a first for Larkin”
If Quinn gets traded, Minnesota s 100% off the board for Larkin.
100%
Also, Mercer and a first for Larkin? Are you out of your gourd?!?!?
I don’t think the Avs are a good comparison of what Minny’s C need/ed to contend with as that didnt go very well. As stated a healthy lineup changes everything.
Hell, they didn’t even need to see how EDM’s C stack up against..
It’s a perfect storm every year, the better team on paper doesn’t always hoist the cup..sometimes yes before naysayers throw examples at me, lol.
So Boldy is younger, and a power winger it seems who scores a lot of goals including the playoffs and he is also on a good contract. No I wouldnt trade him for Larkin either. Would Larkin plus Raymond for Boldy and something else be a way to get forward?
For players like Larkin, Hellebuyck, and Werenski, on teams that consider themselves in their playoff era right now, it’s almost impossible to do a deal with a top contender who obviously doesn’t want to upset a Cup contending roster too radically. Look for one of these GM’s to involve a 3rd team to make it happen as the Jets, Wings, and Jackets don’t want picks and prospects for their contracted stars. Possibly the Canucks, Pens, Blues, and Preds will jump into the mix with Vegas, TBay, Dal, and Minn involved as main destinations.
Kent, Guerin has just $1,152,501 in cap space, Larkin and Raymond cost a combined $16,775,000 off the cap, while Boldy’s hit is $7,000,000. That “something else” would have to be quite a package totaling around $9 mil, and since it seems everyone on the Wild has some sort of NM/NT protection except Boldy, trying to figure out who would waive (if necessary), and find several Detroit would need (or want) adding up to that amount is a non-starter for sure.
I just don’t see a viable Minnesota-Detroit solution.
When you look at the other 31 teams the availability of centres is slim, so Det getting one for Larkin is again slim.
The only deal I could see getting done is a 3-way with Det-Min-Van where Larkin ends up in Min, Pettersson fills the vacant C hole in Det and Van comes away with a package of picks/prospects (mostly from Min, maybe Yurov, Straumel,etc.).
It would be a risk for Det to acquire Pettersson but pairing him with fellow Swede Raymond could turn out well for Det. But it is also a risk for Det with the potential damage from keeping Larkin to the fanbase being disgruntled and the locker room impact as well as it being a media topic beiing asked just about every day.
Sure. While we’re at it, toss in a couple of first round picks from the Wings and ownership of LCA.
“Would Larkin plus Raymond for Boldy and something else be a way to get forward?
Absolutely f*cking not. Are you kidding?
Kent, I think you’re inverting the chase a bit. The Wings aren’t calling Guerin and asking how to get Boldy; Guerin is trying to get Larkin. There’s no reason for DET to sweeten the pot – they’re the ones with the wanted commodity.
What do people think, does Quinn commit to a team without a #1 center? The Wild seem to do OK without one, not sure they will get over that hump though.
I’m glad Canucks got rid of that Diva. He thinks about himself first and the team second.
Minnesota beat Dallas in 1st rd with current centers. Lost in 5 games to Avs with E Ek missing. Also played without Brodin. If you think you win that series with Larkin playing in their place then maybe you look to trade them both.
Doubt Detroit would want either though. Would probably need a 3rd team to get involved. Wild don’t really need to make a deal for Larkin. Maybe they lack star power but have above average depth down the middle.
With the way things appear to be opening up on the offer-sheet front, perhaps those teams with young but already regarded as 1st-line centers had better be prepared for some possibly franchise-changing decisions down the line.
That thinking is featured in this interesting article by David Staples of the Edmonton Journal:
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/brutal-trend-for-edmontons-rivals-opens-up-stanley-cup-window-for-oilers
Certainly food for thought, if nothing else,
What he wrote made sense to me George.
I’m sure the young players entering RFA status would by Briere a beer, but his fellow GM’s would like to dick punch him.
What a tool.
I wonder if Hughes would prefer Detroit over Minnesota? Maybe sieder for Hughes. Larkin stays in Detroit and signs Jack in 3 years. Or Jack pulls a tkachuk and forces his way out of New Jersey early.
Yah, Jack secretly riles up the NJ fan base by having a “credible source” release “credible rumors” of Jack wanting to leave, while Jack denies it. Let that happen for about 6 months and then Jack goes to MGT and asks for a trade on the Q-T and is gone in a month.
Brady magic!
To Minny: Larkin
To Van: Yurov, Stramel, Hartman
To Detroit: Rossi, DeBrusk, 2030 NYR 1st (from Van), 2030 Minny 2nd