New Jersey Devils face key contract decisions on Quinn Hughes and Jacob Markstrom

The Minnesota Wild are negotiating a contract extension with defenseman Quinn Hughes, who remains under contract with the New Jersey Devils. Wild owner Bill Guerin’s recent comments added uncertainty, with reports that the team hopes to lock in a five‑year deal before the July 1 deadline, while Hughes’ camp may prefer a shorter three‑year term.

In New Jersey, general manager Sunny Mehta is assessing the Devils’ goaltending situation after a disappointing season. The club is exploring a trade of starting goalie Jacob Markstrom, whose $6 million cap hit and sub‑par .883 save percentage are targets for reduction. With roughly $11.5 million in cap space, the Devils are weighing options ranging from veteran netminders such as Sergei Bobrovsky or Connor Hellebuyck to lower‑cost prospects like Devon Levi, Mikhail Yegorov or Jakub Malek. The outcome of these moves will shape the team’s roster heading into the 2026‑27 campaign.