This offseason has been one of the rumor mill, as it often is, but this feels like one of the worst rumors-to-trade scenarios in history. What we’ll remember about the 2026 offseason is the failed Dylan Larkin trade demand, Zach Werenski’s trade demand and the rescinding of it, Jason Robertson’s constant rumors just to sign a one-year deal, and the Shane Wright dilemma that went nowhere.
The Devils did actually make a few major moves, but none of them led to a major addition to the roster. They got rid of Jacob Markstrom in exchange for Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist. They sent Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames for a package of futures.
Today, the Devils have an interesting trajectory. It all depends on the health of Jack Hughes, which is the same spot the Devils have been in previous seasons, but that’s not the crux of the conversation.
No, that conversation does involve “Hughes,” but it involves the eldest of the brothers. When July 1st hit, many expected Quinn Hughes to sign a three-year extension worth around $18 million. Then, he had an incredible summer with his brothers Jack and Luke Hughes (yes, Luke Hughes was there). He enjoyed all the sparkle and pizzazz that comes with a New Jersey lifestyle (alright, he got to go to the World Cup Final in a suite and partied on the Jersey Shore and New York City).
Beyond that, he’s trained in Florida and Michigan, did a few appearances, including at Fanatics Fest in New York, and he saw himself in headlines constantly despite doing essentially nothing of note.
Now, almost two months later, it’s been status quo for Hughes and the Wild. He has not signed a contract, and more reports are coming out that it might be a harder negotiation than expected. When Leo Carlsson signed an $18 million per season contract, that appeared to be an underpay for a top-two defenseman in the NHL.
However, there were excuses as to why Hughes hasn’t signed. Many Wild fans pointed to other superstars who hadn’t signed their extensions, saying these things usually happen in September.
Well, the most prominent extension that needed to be signed is on the horizon.
We'll learn if Cale Makar's extension truly mattered to Quinn Hughes's negotiations
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is on the verge of a massive extension. Most analysts have Makar and Hughes as the clear two best defensemen in the league, with Werenski and the Buffalo Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin not far behind. Seeing what Makar's extension looks like could give Hughes a baseline for his deal.
About to go off-line for a bit, but the much-anticipated extension for Cale Makar and Colorado is closing in
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 27, 2026
Going to be a biggie…but a critical piece of business for the Avalanche
Or, as we suspect, it might not matter at all.
Makar’s and Hughes’s situations are completely different. Nobody expected Makar to make it to market, and this was always the desired outcome. He’s a dynamic player the Avs need to keep their Stanley Cup aspirations intact. He wants to spend his career in Colorado, and Joe Sakic is happy to oblige.
Wild fans are holding onto postseason remarks where Hughes said he’s “open” to re-signing in Minnesota. They say that until one of Makar or Hughes signs, the market is not set. Well, one is about to sign. Now, the excuses are essentially over. Can the Wild get this deal done, or is Quinn New Jersey bound? The clock is ticking.
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