Quinn Hughes might sign with the Minnesota Wild, but Elliotte Friedman still thinks it'll only be short term if he does.
Friedman said as much on 32 Thoughts on Friday. "We'll see what happens by the start of the season next week," he added.
That puts a clock on it. The Wild open the regular season Thursday in Nashville.
And that "if he does" carried plenty of doubt. Friedman isn't even certain a deal gets done at all.
Short term changes the math for Minnesota. The defenseman keeps his options open, and the Wild keep living with the uncertainty.
-
Bill Guerin has been clear about his side of it. "We want him here for a long, long time," the GM said earlier this week.
Bill Guerin wants a long, long time, and that's the problem
Guerin also said the decision comes down to "what's going to be best for him in his life." Friedman's read suggests that answer isn't a long commitment.
Why would a player hedge? Rick Dhaliwal reported Hughes left Vancouver because he wanted to win and was tired of the chaos.
A short deal lets him judge Minnesota on results, not promises. That's leverage, and he's earned it.
After arriving last season, he put up 53 points in 48 games.
He added 15 points in 11 playoff games in the spring.
On Friday, he logged 23:44 in a 2-1 preseason loss to Dallas and put one shot on goal.
If short term is the only door, Guerin should walk through it. Losing Hughes over term would be a far bigger mistake than signing him for fewer years.
It's renting with an option to buy. Not ideal for the landlord, but it beats an empty house.
The money is already heavy up front. Kirill Kaprizov carries a $17,000,000 cap hit.
John Hynes' group finished the preseason 1-2-1, with Joel Eriksson Ek scoring the only goal Friday.
Friedman gave it until next week. If nothing lands by Thursday, every Wild game this season doubles as a referendum on Hughes.
Would a short-term deal with Quinn Hughes be a win for the Wild?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Canucks: Pettersson completely destroys Shane Wright, then KO's Ryan Winterton in unbelievable sequence
