The Minnesota Wild pulled off one of the boldest moves of the NHL season when they landed star defenseman Quinn Hughes. It was a swing most teams could’ve taken-but only Minnesota connected. And while most of the league has moved on, one team seems to be stuck in the past: the New Jersey Devils.
Three months have passed since the Devils missed out on bringing Quinn to New Jersey, where he would’ve joined his brother and alternate captain, Jack Hughes. But the sting of that loss still seems fresh-and now, New Jersey might be doing Minnesota a favor without even realizing it.
Here’s what happened: USA Hockey recently posted a group photo featuring the Tkachuk and Hughes brothers-Brady, Matthew, Jack, Luke, and Quinn-as part of its Olympic promotional content. But when the Devils reshared the image on social media, fans quickly noticed something was off.
Quinn Hughes had been edited out of the picture. Yes, really.
It’s apparently part of an ongoing bit the Devils have done before, cropping Quinn out of family photos as a sort of running joke. But in the context of losing him to Minnesota in a high-profile trade, the humor didn’t exactly land. Instead, it came off as awkward, petty, and-to be honest-a little desperate.
Social media noticed. And so did the Wild.
While New Jersey fumbles the optics, Minnesota is quietly making progress toward something bigger. The Wild are reportedly working to convince Quinn to sign a long-term extension, and every misstep by the Devils only strengthens Minnesota’s case-especially if the endgame is reuniting the Hughes brothers in St. Paul.
That idea, once a pipe dream, is starting to feel a little more real. Rumors of the Wild making a move for Jack Hughes have gained traction since the Quinn deal went through.
It’s still a long shot, and nothing’s expected to happen before the offseason, but the door isn’t closed. And the Devils’ recent antics?
They’re not exactly helping their chances of keeping Jack happy in New Jersey.
To be clear, this isn’t just about a photoshopped image-it’s about perception, culture, and the message a team sends to its players. The Devils are struggling on the ice, and now they’re making headlines off it for all the wrong reasons. That’s not the kind of environment that convinces a franchise cornerstone to stick around.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is staying aggressive. There’s even buzz that GM Bill Guerin might explore a blockbuster move involving Devils captain Nico Hischier.
That kind of trade would require a significant package-think Jesper Wallstedt, Charlie Stramel, David Jiricek, and a first-round pick. Maybe even Danila Yurov.
It’s a big swing, but Guerin’s already shown he’s not afraid to take them.
For now, the focus remains on Quinn Hughes and what his presence means for the Wild’s future. Bringing in a player of his caliber has already shifted the franchise’s trajectory, but the idea of pairing him with his brother? That’s the kind of move that could define an era in Minnesota.
And if the Devils keep tripping over themselves, they might just make it easier.