Wild Might Come to Regret Massive Quinn Hughes Trade Decision

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Minnesota gave up a king’s ransom for Quinn Hughes, and according to The Athletic’s Harman Dayal, the Wild may soon have to decide whether that gamble is paying off. He notes, “If the Wild sell Hughes as a rental, they might get a package in the approximate range of a first-round pick and a top prospect. That’s much better than losing him for nothing, but it’d still be significantly less than what they gave up for him, and it would essentially mean punting on this season.”

Dayal lists the star defenceman as a possible trade candidate before the deadline, noting that Hughes has yet to sign an extension despite optimistic talk at the end of last season. He points out that Hughes’ camp, led by agent Pat Brisson, made clear during last December’s talks that no team could be guaranteed a new deal. Minnesota acquired him knowing the risk.

They may regret that decision.

Dayal wonders whether the Wild’s quiet offseason is a factor. The team missed out on a top-six center, and lost forwards including Mats Zuccarello, Vladimir Tarasenko and Marcus Johansson. He speculates whether landing close friend Dylan Larkin might have moved things along. However, they’ve yet to make that trade and every day, it looks farther away than it does closer.

All the while, the Wild need to keep pace with Colorado and Dallas in a tough Central Division. If they can’t, why would Hughes stay? Given the belief he ultimately wants to wind up with his brothers, the Wild can’t use winning as the selling feature in a Hughes extension.

If GM Bill Guerin loses confidence, trade options are limited. That is not to say teams won’t line up to pitch for Hughes. However, the return won’t be what the Wild might want. Dayal says Hughes would not come close to fetching the equivalent of the four first-round picks Minnesota paid. New Jersey, where Hughes would be closer to his brothers, probably wouldn’t pay much if it expects to sign him in the summer, and other clubs would likely offer rental prices, perhaps a first-round pick and a top prospect.

Would the Wild want to keep Hughes for a playoff push? Maybe. But if they don’t add pieces to fill holes on their roster, what would be the point?

What Will the Wild Do With Hughes?

Dayal’s argument is persuasive on one point. The Wild paid for a long-term cornerstone, not a rental, and selling now would likely mean taking a loss. The longer he waits to sign, and that could be not at all this season, the more the pressure builds on the Wild to do something.

But a hard deadline for Hughes seems unrealistic. Hughes is too important and pressing him to make a decision could backfire. Threatening to trade him likely won’t work. Hughes seems fine going to free agency. So too, holding him through a playoff run when the Wild aren’t up there with some of the other teams they’re competing with feels risky.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canadiens, Maple Leafs & Oilers Depth?