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Mizutani: Quinn Hughes is exactly what Bill Guerin promised he would be for the Wild
TL;DR
Bill Guerin, general manager of the Wild, acquired Quinn Hughes from the Canucks in a major trade, disregarding skepticism about the cost. Guerin believes Hughes is the key to elevating the team's performance.
Key points
- Bill Guerin acquired Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks
- The trade included Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, and a first-round pick
- Guerin is confident Hughes will elevate the Wild's performance
- Skeptics questioned the cost of the trade
Mentioned in this story
Bill GuerinVancouver CanucksMinnesota Wild
Quinn HughesZeev BuiumMarco RossiLiam Ohgren
There was almost a defiance about general manager Bill Guerin when the Wild acquired superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes in a blockbuster trade with the Vancouver Canucks. He didn’t care that some skeptics were saying that he had given up too much in the deal. He wasn’t going to miss out on his chance to bring this type of talent to Minnesota.
No matter the cost.
As soon as Guerin caught win that Hughes might be available, he put together his best offer, which included young defenseman Zeev Buium, young center Marco Rossi, young winger Liam Ohgren, and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
It was a small price to pay for somebody Guerin truly believed could help get the Wild over the hump once and for all.
Asked at the time why he felt like it was the right time to swing for the fences, Guerin replied bluntly, saying, “Because it’s Quinn Hughes.”
It feels silly that it was even a question considering Hughes has turned the Wild into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
His signature moment came in Game 6 on Thursday night at Grand Casino Arena as he lifted the Wild to a 5-2 win over the Dallas Stars to advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.
The performance Hughes put forth was the stuff of legend. He had a pair of goals and an assist while controlling the pace whenever the puck was on his stick across 28 minutes, 55 seconds of ice time.
“We wanted to close it out,” Hughes said. “All of our guys kind of had that mindset.”
That was especially evident for Hughes as he looked like man on a mission from the initial puck drop. Never mind that some of his teammates were seemingly working through nerves. He was a catalyst in the opening minutes that helped take the edge off.
It started with Hughes netting a goal to help the Wild make it 1-0 early in the first period. That incredible individual effort from Hughes was highlighted by him toe dragging around a defender before wiring a puck top shelf.
After the matchup briefly flipped on its head, Hughes did his part to help the Wild tie the score at 2-2 late in the second period. The sequence featured Hughes finding a lane and firing a shot through traffic before winger hammered home on a loose puck.
Q&A
What players were included in the trade for Quinn Hughes?
The trade included young defenseman Zeev Buium, center Marco Rossi, winger Liam Ohgren, and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Why did Bill Guerin believe it was the right time to acquire Quinn Hughes?
Guerin felt it was the right time to make the trade because he believed Quinn Hughes could significantly improve the Wild's chances of success.
What impact is Quinn Hughes expected to have on the Minnesota Wild?
Quinn Hughes is expected to help the Wild overcome previous challenges and elevate their performance in the NHL.
What was the general reaction to the trade for Quinn Hughes?
Some skeptics questioned whether the Wild gave up too much in the trade, but Guerin was confident in his decision.
