The Hughes brothers are sharing the ice again - just not in the way many expected.
When Quinn Hughes became available earlier this season, the early buzz around the league had him landing in New Jersey to join his younger brothers, Jack and Luke. The idea of all three Hughes boys suiting up for the Devils was more than just a feel-good story - it made hockey sense.
But as negotiations fell flat in Jersey, Minnesota GM Bill Guerin saw his window and pounced. Now, the Wild have one of the league’s premier defensemen anchoring their blue line, and the Devils are left watching what could’ve been.
Fast forward to February, and the Hughes trio is finally reunited - not in the NHL, but on the international stage. All three are in Milan, suiting up for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. It’s a rare and special moment for American hockey: three brothers, all elite talents, sharing the red, white, and blue on the biggest stage in the sport.
But leave it to social media to stir the pot.
On Monday, the New Jersey Devils’ official account posted a photo of Jack Hughes alongside the Tkachuk brothers - Brady and Matthew - but something was off. The original photo, snapped during Team USA’s Olympic media day, also included Quinn Hughes. Except in the version the Devils shared, Quinn had been edited out.
Yes, edited out.
The internet, as it does, noticed immediately. Former NHLer Ryan Whitney called it out, posting the original and edited versions side by side, and fans quickly joined the chorus of confusion. Why would the Devils crop out Jack’s older brother - a fellow Olympian and one of the best defensemen in the world?
Turns out, this might’ve been an inside joke. According to those who closely follow the Devils’ social channels, this isn’t the first time they’ve poked fun at Quinn in this way.
It’s apparently a running bit - lighthearted ribbing between the team and the eldest Hughes brother. But timing is everything, and this one didn’t exactly land.
Editing out a Team USA Olympian during the biggest hockey event in four years? Probably not the best look, even if it was meant to be playful.
Regardless, the Hughes brothers aren’t letting a Photoshop job get in the way of business. Team USA has serious medal aspirations, and all three will play key roles.
Jack, as always, brings elite playmaking and offensive creativity. Luke continues to grow into his own as a two-way force on the back end.
And then there’s Quinn - the newest Wild star - who’s expected to log heavy minutes and quarterback the power play.
Minnesota fans will be watching closely, not just out of national pride, but to see how their newest acquisition performs under Olympic pressure. The Wild paid a steep price to bring Quinn Hughes to St.
Paul back in December, sending a package of young talent to Vancouver in a move that signaled they’re ready to win now. Hughes, 26, has been everything they hoped for - a smooth-skating, high-IQ defenseman who can control the pace of a game from the back end.
And he’s not the only Wild player making noise in Milan. Matt Boldy is battling for a top-six role on Team USA and could see increased minutes as the tournament progresses. Brock Faber, another key piece of Minnesota’s blue line, is also suiting up for the Stars and Stripes and will likely log significant time in all situations.
With Jonas Brodin sidelined due to injury and Kirill Kaprizov unable to compete due to Russia’s ongoing Olympic ban, the Wild’s international presence still runs deep. For Minnesota, the Olympics offer a glimpse of what their core can do on a global stage - and a preview of what fans hope will be a long playoff run come spring.
As for the Hughes brothers, they’re not just a great story - they’re a serious threat to bring home gold. And if they do, you can bet Quinn will be right in the middle of the celebration, whether the Devils post the photo or not.