NHL rumors: Hughes may want shorter deal, Batherson eyes 8 years

The Minnesota Wild and Ottawa Senators are in the midst of critical contract discussions involving players Quinn Hughes and Drake Batherson, who are nearing the end of their respective current deals. Hughes, a 26-year-old defenseman, is believed to prefer a shorter contract, while Batherson, a 28-year-old winger, is seeking an extended eight-year agreement.

For Hughes, his six-year, $7.85 million average annual value contract with the Wild expires in July, making him a free agent. The Wild have expressed a willingness to offer Hughes an eight-year extension, a decision made more challenging by the increasing costs of player salaries in the NHL. Meanwhile, Hughes himself has reportedly indicated a preference for a deal lasting five years or less, with an average annual value around $19 million, potentially influenced by the contracts of fellow UFA Cale Makar.

Drake Batherson, on the other hand, is eager for a protracted eight-year contract with the Senators. His current deal, worth $4.9 million annually, includes a $4.9 million cap hit. The Senators, keen on retaining Batherson, are aiming to secure a deal akin to those offered to Adrian Kempe and Alex Tuch, whose eight-year extensions with the Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals, respectively, offer an average annual value of $10.625 million and $10.5 million.

With the September 15th deadline fast approaching, both the Wild and Senators face the challenge of reaching agreements that satisfy both their players' desires and their own financial constraints. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the outcome of these negotiations.