The Minnesota Wild swung big when they acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks.
They sent away major assets, including Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 first round pick. While the Wild are now down a lot of trade chips from that deal, it doesn’t mean they’re done swinging.
Wild Were Never Done Making Trades After Quinn Hughes Acquisition
GettyST PAUL, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 10: Quinn Hughes #43 of the Minnesota Wild skates with the puck against Emil Heineman #51 and Tony DeAngelo #77 of the New York Islanders in the first period at Grand Casino Arena on January 10, 2026 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
As previously mentioned, Michael Russo of The Athletic stated that GM Bill Guerin isn’t afraid to make more trades.
“The fact the Wild’s veteran core stepped up and rewarded Guerin’s faith also gives him motivation to put them further into “serious contender” category.
You can bet Guerin isn’t done.”
Russo’s report continued:
“So Guerin’s not messing around. He almost certainly wants to and plans to take one more big swing, probably for a center, and likely use more picks and prospects to do so…When asked after the Hughes blockbuster if he has enough assets to make another move, Guerin said, ‘We can do stuff.’
So whether it’s today, tomorrow, next week or next month, Guerin will be on the prowl for what’s next.
For the record, Guerin simply said, ‘We’re always looking. I always want to get better, and if there’s something we can do, then yeah, we’ll do it.’”
Wild Linked to Rangers’ All-Star Forward Artemi Panarin
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 02: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers in action during the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic game between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers at loanDepot park on January 02, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Sportsnet‘s Elliotte Friedman, a reliable source in the industry, floated the idea of the trade on his podcast “32 Thoughts“.
“I think what you’re hoping for is if (the Rangers) are waving the white flag on the season, and I’m not sure they’re doing that, but at some point you have to go to him and his reps and say, ‘Are there some teams we can work with here? Are there some places you would be willing to go?’
I wonder about, obviously you always wonder about a team like Florida. You wonder about a team like Washington. You think about places where, especially Russian players might want to go.
Since the beginning of the year, we’ve been wondering about Minnesota, because Kaprizov is there and they’re represented by the same agent.”
“Breadman” landing with Minnesota would make almost too much sense. Panarin is still on the chase for his first Stanley Cup in his 11 year career. The Wild, of course, are perfectly positioned to make a run.
As Friedman mentioned, Panarin and Kirill Kaprizov, both Russians, are represented by the same agent.
The Rangers are not completely out of the playoff race in the Metropolitan, but they are no where near as cemented in the post-season picture as Minnesota.
Artemi Panarin is 34 years old and in the final year of his massive 7-year/$81.5 million deal he signed with New York. Panarin has a full no-movement clause. Therefore, if he is dealt, he will choose where he gets to go.
Wild Could Make Massive Trade for All-Star Forward: Insider