Failed New Jersey Devils Quinn Hughes trade could be a blessing in disguise

Boston Bruins v Minnesota Wild | Luke Schmidt/GettyImagesSo, here we are. The New Jersey Devils were a finalist to land former Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes via trade, but instead lost out to a surprise contender in the Minnesota Wild.

The Wild paid a premium, as they should have, to acquire Hughes, parting ways with Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 first-round pick, and as long as things go well in Minnesota, the Devils won't even be able to think about Hughes again until he hits free agency on July 1, 2027. And that's if he doesn't sign a contract extension with the Wild on July 1 of 2026.

But, while the Devils have been injured and have mostly stunk due to those…