Austin Konenski
Jack Hughes‘ future with the New Jersey Devils has been in the headlines lately. With Quinn Hughes nearing NHL free agency, a possible extension with the Minnesota Wild is on the table. However, the Hughes brothers’ futures have been tied to each other, and an NHL insider has provided a big update on the New Jersey forward.
The Devils are not trading Jack Hughes after missing the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the FAN Hockey Show. The report comes after The Athletic reported that Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin attempted to trade for New Jersey defenseman Luke Hughes at the 2026 NHL trade deadline.
The Wild want to keep Quinn Hughes long-term, so trading for one of his brothers is a great way to make that happen. However, is a reunion in New Jersey or Minnesota more likely?
Why Quinn Hughes is more likely to join Jack Hughes in New Jersey
Jack Hughes is under contract with New Jersey through the 2029-2030 NHL season. Meanwhile, Luke Hughes has a contract that runs through the 2031-32 campaign. So, is it more likely that the two New Jersey players join Quinn Hughes in Minnesota or vice versa?
Despite what the public says, it is far more likely that Quinn Hughes comes to the Devils than the other way around. With the Wild defenseman entering a contract year, some questions need answers soon. If Quinn Hughes plans on staying with Minnesota, an extension will likely be reached this summer.
Friedman previously predicted a three-year contract, which lines up with Jack Hughes’ contract in New Jersey. As long as Jack Hughes doesn’t request a trade, there is no point for New Jersey to trade him. After all, if Quinn Hughes wants to play with his brothers, he can sign with the Devils in NHL free agency next year.
It all comes down to what Quinn Hughes wants to do moving forward. If a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals is his goal, then staying in Minnesota makes the most sense. If playing with his brothers is a bigger desire than signing with New Jersey is the most realistic outcome.
Either way, it is way easier to imagine the Hughes brothers playing with each other in New Jersey than in Minnesota.
Read More: Quinn Hughes Traded to the Detroit Red Wings? What It Would Actually Take
