One Big Difference Separates Quinn Hughes and Mikko Rantanen Trade Situations

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Quinn Hughes’ future with the Minnesota Wild remains unclear, and according to Elliotte Friedman, the situation looks very different from the Mikko Rantanen trade in one key way.

Some have made a comparable between Hughes and Rantanen, mainly because the Carolina Hurricanes took a swing on Rantanen, missed, and then traded him for pieces that helped the team win a Stanley Cup. It was a smart pivot after a home run swing. Many wonder if the Wild can do the same.

In his latest 32 Thoughts column, Friedman admitted he isn’t sure what to make of Hughes’ situation. Whether he signs with the Wild or waits and walks into free agency is anyone’s guess. It doesn’t sound like the Wild have a read on that situation either. He does believe Hughes is determined to play as well as he can, but like Rantanen, the longer this goes, the more it feels like he won’t be extending.

Carolina decided they couldn’t wait. They traded Rantanen and got a nice haul from the Dallas Stars. The Wild might decide to make a run with Hughes or move him for pieces that can help them stay competitive. He argued that Minnesota has never reached a Stanley Cup Final and has made only one Conference Final. Their only playoff-round win in the last 12 seasons came last season, with Hughes in the lineup. He questioned whether the team will get a better shot than the one it has now.

But if Hughes walks and the Wild don’t win, they look foolish. The Hurricanes weren’t willing to take that risk.

The Big Difference Between Hughes and Rantanen

Friedman pointed to Carolina’s handling of Rantanen as a lesson in not being afraid of an unconventional path and in pivoting when something doesn’t work. The challenge, he noted, is that the gap between Hughes and what Minnesota could get in return looks like a chasm compared to Rantanen and Logan Stankoven.

The biggest difference, Friedman said, is that Rantanen gave the Hurricanes a list of teams he would extend with. Hughes has refused to do so. Friedman writes:

“Someone made another good point: Rantanen gave the Hurricanes teams he would extend with, allowing market creation. As promised, he immediately signed in Dallas. Hughes has shown no inclination of doing that. He has been up-front and honest, making no guarantees.”

That leaves the Wild weighing whether to explore a trade, but stuck because any team willing to give up big assets for Hughes has to risk him walking away.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Oilers, Red Wings & Maple Leafs Failure