Quinn Hughes (Credit: Getty Images)The Minnesota Wild are expected to begin contract extension talks with Quinn Hughes as they look to secure the franchise defenseman beyond the 2026-27 season. According to The Athletic's Michael Russo, General Manager Bill Guerin is expected to meet with Hughes and his representatives to discuss a new contract. The Wild reportedly prefer a long-term extension ranging from five to eight years before the NHL reduces the maximum contract length to seven years on Sept. 16.But agreement may not be so easily reached. Hughes is entering the final year of his current six-year, $47.1 million contract ($7.85 million AAV) and the expectation is that his next deal will be among the richest in NHL history. The length of the deal, the annual salary and Hughes’ long-term plans could all be big factors in whether Minnesota can keep its star defenseman.Why the Minnesota Wild want Quinn Hughes signed before Sept. 16According to Russo, the Wild's priority is signing Hughes to a contract lasting between five and eight years. Completing the deal before Sept. 16 would allow Minnesota to offer the maximum available term before the NHL's new seven-year contract limit takes effect.At the same time, Russo believes a three-year extension could also be a realistic option. Such a deal would expire in 2030, matching the remaining term of Jack Hughes' contract with the New Jersey Devils. That timeline has fueled speculation because it would allow both brothers to become unrestricted free agents in the same summer.Quinn Hughes has been linked to New Jersey since the spring of 2025, and those rumors continued even after his trade from the Vancouver Canucks to the Wild. While there is no indication that Hughes plans to leave Minnesota, the possibility of eventually playing alongside brothers Jack and Luke Hughes has remained a talking point around the league.Why Quinn Hughes' next contract could become one of the richest in NHL history Money will likely be the biggest hurdle in negotiations. Hughes won the Norris Trophy in 2023-24 and has established himself among the NHL’s top defensemen, putting him in line for a big raise over his current $7.85 million cap hit. Some believe he could even push to become the league's first player to earn $20 million annually.The Wild are projected to have nearly $46 million in salary cap space for the 2027-28 season, giving them enough flexibility to sign Hughes even if his salary approaches the league maximum of $20.8 million per season. The bigger question is whether Minnesota is willing to make him the team's highest-paid player, surpassing Kirill Kaprizov's $17 million annual salary.How Quinn Hughes' next deal could shape the Minnesota Wild's futureEven if Hughes signs for an amount similar to Kaprizov's deal, the Wild will still have important roster decisions ahead. Ryan Hartman, Blake Coleman and Jared Spurgeon can become unrestricted free agents next summer, while Jesper Wallstedt and Bobby Brink will be restricted free agents with arbitration rights. Hughes' next contract will therefore play a major role in shaping how Minnesota builds its roster while trying to remain a Stanley Cup contender.