Dec 14, 2025
3 min read
From teams that missed a great opportunity to teams that are now facing tough times, how should we approach each club?
Blockbuster trade of Quinn Hughes from Minnesota Vancoota to the Minnesota Wild on Friday sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world.
Certainly the biggest trade for any franchise and one of the biggest in NHL history, the ramifications of moving a star defenseman, a Norris Trophy winner, will be felt throughout the league.
From teams that missed out on a great opportunity to teams that now have an even tougher central division, how does the deal affect each NHL club?
After the trade, the Athletics asked their NHL staff.This is what they said.
Adding Hughes to an already dangerous offense with Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke may not be fair to the rest of the NHL.But the price of getting into that mix could include a key piece (Sennecke? Mason McTavish? Olen Zellweger? Jackson LaCombe?), one or two of their best prospects, and a 2026 first-round pick.They'll still be fine without Hughes.—Eric Stephens
The impact of the Hughes trade on Boston is minimal, other than the Bruins playing the Wild in their first game on Sunday.The Bruins are glad he didn't end up with the East Devils.As for the Bruins themselves, they didn't have the trade currency to go after Hughes.—Shinzawa flute
That shows they are trying.Pierre LeBrun reports that the Sabers are among six teams showing serious interest in Hughes.They have the resources to pull off such a deal, but signing Hughes in Buffalo could be a huge boost.Still, entering into this deal shows the Sabers are willing to make a significant overhaul.—Matthew Fairburn
The second-best second manager in the game has left the Pacific Division, and the Canadiens are watching the weather.At the same time, Rasmus Anderson is still burning in the portfolio after the summer, among the many experts in the military who have come down from trade reports (Blake Coleman and Nazem Kadri. If the team catches fire to start building, it will be difficult to see the Raiders start head. - Julian McKenzie
The Hurricanes always feature all the big names, and that would be true of Hughes as well.They certainly could have gone against the package that the Wild provided (Logan Stankoven, Alexander Nikishin, Bradly Nadeau and almost even at the start).That would have been a lot to part with (and a slimmer Carolina in the middle).The biggest thing for the Hurricanes is that Hughes didn't end up in New Jersey with his brothers.With Hughes staying out of the East, Carolina remains the metro of choice.- Cory Lavalette
Trade may not affect blacks, at least in the short term.If Hughes signs a new signing and Forest makes another move, they, like Avanne, could be another obstacle for blacks in the middle for years to come.Of course, the Blackhawks need to move forward with their own build and become that kind of team as well.- Scottish power
This business is the best division in the better NHL.Collerado and Dallas seem like jurnnauts, and now they have added a great defender to a team that is starting to be a real contender.Minnesota has not been the easiest game for the last demolition, division of the production of the season and put a surprising body in the remaining three games, since December.- Jesse Ground
columbus bluejackets
It is possible to reach the blue jacket and hughes did not pass the open division, because his abilities can be enough to turn on the pressure of power.The devils are of interest to his brothers, but it is clear that they are rare in the hurricane.There aren't many big deals in the NHL these days, but Gm Jackets Don Waddell hopes this beast and the Edmburgh Form market opens the floodgates.Waddell is trying to finish the job to eliminate his sleeping club.- Aaron Portzline
Interestingly, the Stars may have been able to make the money work, which was the case with Tyler Seguin on LTIR.But with an already strong blue line and a lack of a first-round pick after last year's acquisition of Mikko Rantanen, a big offer didn't make sense here.Instead, Dallas gets an even bigger challenge at center, especially considering the Avs look like a lock to take over the top seed, making Hughes the Stars' problem.— James Mirtle
Detroit red wings
Mainly, it means they missed the opportunity to add the league's true superstar.Yes, the price Minnesota paid for Hughes was high, and it's fair to argue the merits of doing so, even if Detroit could match it.As Kappa can show, you have to be deep to put a whole team around him.No matter how you feel about the price, especially in ALTRANT ALENT.- Max Bulman
The top three teams in the Western Conference are now in the Central Region (Avalanche, Stars and Wild).For the Oilers, it's a matter of life and death in the playoffs to avoid the central bracket with a top-three finish in the PACIKEFION division or the first wild card (seventh).The Hughes trade turned the center into a hockey hell.Pull it off.-Alan Mitchell
In theory, it would help Florida State to have Hughes stay in the West for the next two years.However, the battered Panthers are now scrambling to make the playoffs after a slow start, not to mention what the Devils, Red Wings or other East teams are doing.Florida has upside but doesn't really have future assets that make sense for Vancouver, so this outcome might be as good as the Panthers had hoped.Maybe they'll be on Hughes' roster if he ends up as a UFA in 2027?You never know with Bill Zito.-James Myrtle
Los Angeles kings
The kings are not directly affected in the sense that if Minnesota changes a top-three spot in the Central Division, it does not need a wild card to be an alternative. Without a doubt, the Hughes will immediately go to the end of a blue line that lacks defenses capable of offense.While they didn't help Vladislav Gavikov, the underrated Kings have value that Minnesota has to offer regardless of their roster.- Eric Stephens
Well, they got it, so it affects them in a very positive way.It's not often you get a 26-year-old 90-of-100 point guard capable of 100-of-100 points, two years of Norris wins.Just imagine Hughes isn't wild.1 Power Play Navigation Youn and Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Coldy and Mats Zuccarello provide plenty of options.And imagine the release of a person from the ice and putting it in the hands of Kaprizov and courage.The Wild took a big swing and gave up a lot, but needed to earn the status of a true contender in the central division.- Michael Russo
With Hughes finishing in the Western Conference, the trade will not affect the Canadiens.They will never be a player in the Hughes trade market as they have locked up Lane Hutson for the next nine and a half years at a cap number that will be slightly more than half of what Hughes will receive on his next contract.If he lands in Detroit, that would directly affect the Canadians.— Arpan Basu
This is probably not a direct impact in terms of results this season - the agents are the worst in the NHL, not the threat.
New Jersey Devils
The demons were in hugshes after months of speculation, but they were brought closer.They can explain now.Tom Fitzgerald is no longer worried about saving CAPS or trading chips in the hope that the sun will come.The bug
New York Islands
If the Isles are only affected by the No. 1 Fruity trade, and 2) he goes to the Metro Division on July 2. This is a rebuilding team with a long-term view, so they will play two games to play two games in a hug conference.If he doesn't agree to an eight-year extension, it's a different story if he wants to agree to an eight-year extension.- Shia Goldman
New York Ranger
As Pierre LeBrun reported, the Rangers were in the running for Hughes, but they would not be able to match the package offered by Minnesota.It makes sense to explore the possibility of adding an elite individual like Hughes, but letting him go won't change Rangers' plans.The biggest impact of the deal is that he stayed out West and did not go to an Eastern Conference rival.-Peter Boag
The Senators may not have had the same quality of assets to compete with the six other teams reportedly interested in Hughes, but seeing such a big move come to fruition only whets the appetite of fans for a big move of their own.The Wild completed the trade with hopes of competing with Colorado and Dallas for the win.Ottawa, months after making the playoffs for the first time in eight years, is clearly hoping for his opportunity.— Julian Mackenzie
Hughes stayed in the Western Conference and didn't go to a team like the Devils or Rangers, helping the Flyers qualify for a playoff spot this season.While some fans are certainly frustrated that the Flyers weren't more aggressive in their pursuit of a star defenseman, the truth is that team management just doesn't believe the organization is capable of making those big moves yet, especially if it meant giving up top prospects like Matvei Michkov or Porter Martone.- Kevin Kurz
I can not say that it affects penguins, other than it is better to have a player of the tales of Hughes who remained in the western region.Also, I expect Kyle Dubas to work on trade negotiations in the next couple, next penguins can be trades, given their wealth and space.Perhaps this is a template for what it takes to achieve this kind of stardom, for better or for worse or for worse.- Josy yoo
San Jose Sharks
It appears the Sharks would have a slim chance of acquiring Hughes, depending on whether or not they are interested in an extension.They're not in the same position as the Wild where they'd win right now, which is why an extension is needed rather than risking a season and a half of Hughes' fortune.However, the Sharks at least have enough assets to give Vancouver something to think about.You could envision Sam Dickinson and one or both of the five first-round picks.2026 would be the basis of the question.While Hughes would prefer an NHL home in the East, can't you see Macklin leading the offense with Celebrini and Will Smith?- Eric Stephens
The Kraken was never a real bidder for Hughes, both because Hughes preferred to play further east and because the Canucks would never have sent that geographic rival up I-5 unless the Kraken paid a premium.However, this premium would have meant nothing to the Kraken.While Seattle is interested in the type of high-profile star that Hughes clearly is, its blue line is talented and deep.If Kraken wanted to go for an impressive star, they had to be a star
St. Louis
Now that Hughes is in the Central Division, the Blues could see the star defender two more times per season (for a total of four).Given their history against them, that's not good news.In 17 games, he has five goals, the second most against any team, and 12 points.Also, along with Colorado's Cale Makar and Dallas' Mir Heiskanen, the division now boasts three of the league's most dynamic defensemen, and the Blues could see one of them in 12 of their 82 games.— Jeremy Rutherford
Nicseeam a son of the tamppermeppers.
While the Lightning tend to circle big players on the trade block, Hughes has never been an option here.However, Tampa Bay has an advantage because he went to Minnesota, precisely because it kept him out of the Eastern Conference – and specifically, out of the Atlantic Division.If Hughes were to be added to the Red Wings, he would be a real needle mover that could be a problem for the Lightning.– Shayna Goldman
Toronto Maple Leaves
The Leafs would love a No. 1 defenseman of Hughes' caliber.They haven't had a guy like that in a long time (if ever).However, they simply did not have the resources to compete in such a draft.So how does trade affect them?Not really.It was nice to have Hughes, but obviously it wasn't meant to be.- Jonas Siegel
The Mammoths were a dark horse team that I wondered about as a possible landing spot for Hughes because they have a load of young talent and haven't been afraid to make aggressive trades in the past.Ultimately, though, with the club struggling of late and Logan Cooley out long-term, it made sense that Utah didn't emerge as a serious player for Hughes.As a young and up-and-coming team, Utah's path to becoming one of the top teams in the Central just keeps getting that much harder with Colorado, Dallas and now Minnesota all Cup contenders for the foreseeable future.- Herman Dial.
The Canucks no longer have Hughes, so this trade will fundamentally change the organization.Hughes was the best defenseman in franchise history and losing him will have a huge impact on this team.He is in at least a short-term recovery mode.Given that they're 32nd in NHL percentage, they already are, but now they're trying to finish it.- Thomas Driver
Vegas Golden Knights
This blockbuster move is interesting for the Golden Knights.On the one hand, the Canucks, division rivals, lost their most talented player.However, the current last-place team in Vancouver was never a factor for Vegas this season.On the other hand, the move should improve one of the other contenders in the Western Conference.While the Wild aren't obviously in the Pacific Division, they served as the Golden Knights' first-round opponent in two of the last five years, so Hughes could also make the road to Las Vegas difficult.- Jesse Granger
Hughes seemed like the Capitals' wild card in the trade picture.Washington is one of the best teams in the East, and adding a player of that caliber is a sign that management is willing to put their chips on winning another championship in the Alex Ovechkin era.Caps.-Shayna Goldman
The block of Minnesota that secures the third three in the center of the group, which has already fallen behind the plane, has lost 9 of the last 11 days.Winnipeg did not get the top to reach such a trade, it should be part of the price of playol, caltastarn.Iosuas Morrissey joined that group, but the plane is different that falls into the group of the best.- murat ates
