
The shocking behind-the-scenes attempt could have changed the NHL overnight.
The NHL offseason has already delivered plenty of fireworks, from goaltending shakeups in Florida to splashy free agent signings. But one of the most jaw-dropping developments to surface involves a potential blockbuster trade that would rank among the biggest deals in recent memory
According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin has reportedly reached out to the New Jersey Devils to gauge the asking price on star center Jack Hughes.
The inquiry alone speaks volumes about Minnesota's ambitions. Hughes, still just in his mid-twenties, is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic offensive talents in the league. The former first overall pick has been the centerpiece of New Jersey's rebuild, and prying him away from the Devils would require a massive haul in return. But a reunion of the Hughes brothers would be electric.
It remains unclear how far along the conversations have progressed, or whether New Jersey has any genuine interest in moving Hughes. None of those details have been confirmed beyond the initial report of Guerin's inquiry.
Still, the fact that Minnesota's front office even picked up the phone signals a willingness to swing for the fences. The Wild have been a competitive team in recent seasons but have lacked the kind of elite, game-breaking center who can carry a roster deep into the postseason. Hughes would fill that void immediately.
The Devils, meanwhile, find themselves at a crossroads after trading Jacob Markstrom to Florida in a deal that also involved Angus Crookshank heading to Sunrise in exchange for Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, and Ben Steeves. That move reshaped their goaltending picture, and it remains to be seen whether New Jersey's front office views this summer as a time for further roster overhaul or consolidation around its young core.
Any trade involving Hughes would almost certainly require a package headlined by top-tier prospects, premium draft picks, and possibly a significant roster player heading back to New Jersey. The price tag would be astronomical for a player of his caliber and age.
As of now, this appears to be an exploratory conversation rather than an imminent deal. But the mere existence of the inquiry has set the hockey world buzzing, and if Guerin finds a way to make the numbers work, it would represent the kind of franchise-altering move that reshapes the Western Conference landscape overnight.
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Christine has been a lifelong hockey fan ever since she fell for Mario Lemieux’ slick moves and Jaromir Jagr’s mullet. A professional writer, she joined Attraction Media in 2017. Since then, she has good reasons to watch all hockey games and can humiliate several men who can’t handle that a woman knows more about hockey than they ever will.
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