Russo: MN Wild Planning Another Big Swing Before Trade Deadline

The Minnesota Wild fell in a shootout to the San Jose Sharks last night on New Years Eve. Normally, when you’ve racked up 55 points though 41 games, a point-saving loss would be no big deal.

But in the 2025-26 central division — where the Avs (67), Stars (57) and Wild (55) all have more points than the leader of any other division in the NHL — every mark in the L columns matter… even when you come out with a point.

Nobody knows that better than MN Wild president of hockey operations, Bill Guerin. It’s why he swung arguably the biggest blockbuster trade in NHL history, when he dealt the equivalent of FOUR first round picks to Vancouver, in exchange for 26-year-old ELITE defenseman, Quinn Hughes.

Since the deal, the already hot Minnesota Wild have gone scorched-earth, winning seven of ten games and earning points in two of their three losses (7-1-2). Quinn Hughes has contributed 7 points in his nine games played in a Wild sweater. Recently, however, the team has come down to earth a bit (2-1-2).

Minnesota Wild PoHO planning another blockbuster trade…

With the Avs and Stars still surging, the Wild are in need more firepower. So, firepower Bill Guerin will provide, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic, who wrote Thursday that the Minnesota Wild PoHO is looking to make another big swing before the March 7 NHL trade deadline.

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.

Michael Russo – The Athletic

Russo sat down with Guerin recently, and the mood was jovial. Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes — who both live in the same building — are already becoming legitimate best friends and the Minnesota Wild look like a cinch playoff team, especially with Hughes on the blue line.

But this team still need another offensive playmaker, specifically up the middle. And as Russo notes in his column, “You don’t move four huge pieces to get Hughes, who is unsigned past next season, if you’re not trying to win right now.”

Bill Guerin “not messing around” before NHL trade deadline

So get ready MN Wild fans, because Bill Guerin is back on the market hunting his next big game trade trophy, and he is still riding high off of the last homerun shot he took on Quinn Hughes. And from the sounds of it, this next deal could be just as big.

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.”

The Athletic