Overview
- The Minnesota Wild and defenseman Daemon Hunt finalized a one-year, $900,000 contract on Sunday, completing the deal hours before the NHL arbitration filing deadline.
- By signing the new deal Hunt forfeited his last year of salary-arbitration eligibility, removing the option of an arbitration hearing this offseason.
- If Hunt plays at least 35 NHL games in 2026–27 he will keep restricted free-agent status when the contract expires; if he falls short and meets the Group 6 criteria he would reach unrestricted free agency in July 2027.
- Hunt, a 2020 third-round pick, split 2025–26 between the Wild (32 NHL games, six assists) and AHL Cleveland (48 games, 14 points) and is projected to compete for a depth left-side role on Minnesota’s blueline next season.
- Reports differ on Minnesota’s remaining salary-cap room after the signing, with estimates of roughly $1 million to $2 million, and the move leaves the Wild’s defensive depth chart largely set while Hunt vies for a regular NHL role.