The 24-year-old blueliner returns to Minnesota after proving his shot-blocking grit. Hunt provides the Wild crucial blue-line stability and insurance behind a star-studded defensive core this season.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have retained one of their young defensemen, re-signing restricted free agent Daemon Hunt ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The 24-year-old has spent the past several seasons splitting time between the NHL and AHL, showing flashes of the two-way game that made him a third-round pick by Minnesota in the 2020 NHL Draft.
In 32 games last season, Hunt recorded six assists and 43 blocked shots. He also played in five playoff games and recorded one assist, eight blocked shots and six hits.
With Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber, Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, Olli Maatta and Zach Bogosian all expected to compete for NHL minutes, Hunt will likely continue battling for a roster spot while providing valuable depth if injuries arise.
The Wild have emphasized keeping their defensive depth intact this offseason, and bringing Hunt back ensures another young option remains in the organization.
Minnesota and Hunt's contract is one-year, $900,000.
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