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12/13 17:19 CST Guerin alters Wild's recipe for success by trading for former
Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes
Guerin alters Wild's recipe for success by trading for former Norris Trophy
winner Quinn Hughes
By PATRICK DONNELLY
Associated Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) --- Bill Guerin was wrist deep in a bowl of meatballs when
he completed one of the biggest trades in Minnesota Wild history.
The Wild general manager found out Friday night that Vancouver Canucks
president Jim Rutherford had agreed to trade former Norris Trophy-winning
defenseman Quinn Hughes to Minnesota for three young players and a future
first-round draft pick.
"I was making meatballs for our Christmas Eve dinner when Jim called," Guerin
said Saturday. "I had to take my latex gloves off. I was rolling meatballs and
he told me we have a deal. There was a fist pump involved."
The move is the clearest indication that Guerin and Wild are going all in this
season as they seek their first Stanley Cup in the team's 25-year history.
"I've always said that I believe in our players, I believe in this team, I
believe in what we're doing here," said Guerin, who gave up defenseman Zeev
Buium and forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren --- three former first-round
picks, all under 25 years old --- to acquire Hughes.
"We have an extremely competitive division," Guerin added. "You're going
through the meat grinder here. We respect our opponents, but we want to do our
own thing, too. We want to compete for the Stanley Cup."
Hughes will make his Wild debut on Sunday against Boston.
The 26-year-old served as the Canucks' captain the past 2 1/2 seasons. He won
the Norris Trophy, given to the NHL's top defenseman, in 2023-24 when he led
all defensemen with 92 points. The smooth-skating playmaker was available
because the Canucks are last in the league with just 25 points this season and
were looking for a talent infusion to change their trajectory.
Brock Faber, who could be Hughes' defensive partner when he arrives in
Minnesota, said he's happy the days of Hughes tormenting the Wild are over.
"It's going to be an absolute treat because he's terrible to play against, so
having him on our side is going to be incredible," Faber said. "The way he
skates, how skilled he is. He's a competitor, too, and he wants to win. Yeah,
there's definitely a lot to admire about his game."
Coach John Hynes is eager to see Hughes in a Wild uniform as well.
"He's a dynamic player on the breakout transition, rush offense, power play,"
Hines said. "He has that elite mind that he can see plays before they happen.
He can turn plays that some guys can't make, and that's what makes him a
special player."
Hughes is signed through the 2026-27 season and there's been speculation he
would like to play in New Jersey, where his two younger brothers are on the
Devils' roster.
However, Guerin is also the U.S. national team's general manager and has gotten
to know Hughes through last year's Four Nations Cup and preparations for the
Milan Cortina Olympics. He thinks the atmosphere and culture in Minnesota,
known as the "State of Hockey," will help win Hughes over.
"He just loves hockey. And I think there's no better market than Minnesota to
be a hockey player. I believe in our team and our culture and our organization
and our market, our fans," Guerin said. "Hockey's in the fabric here, and I
think he'll really like it."
Guerin indicated that he's confident Hughes' contract situation will take care
of itself when the time comes. Until then, he's looking forward to seeing how
his newest acquisition blends in with the Wild.
As for those meatballs, he leaves that to the expert in the family.
"They're really good," Guerin said. "It's my wife's recipe. I'm just doing the
grunt work."
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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
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