Quinn Hughes takes subtle jab at New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald for his offer to the Vancouver Canucks
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images.
Former Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes has expressed his frustration with the New Jersey Devils after they weren't able to acquire him via trade last week.
The Quinn Hughes sweepstakes went very fast and it was the Minnesota Wild who acquired him from the Vancouver Canucks on Friday, which came as a surprise to many around the hockey world who expected him to join his brothers Jack and Luke in New Jersey.
Prior to Friday's trade, Hughes has been linked to the New Jersey Devils since April when President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford admitted that the blueliner has expressed a desire to play with his brothers at some point in his NHL career.
"It may not boil down to money with [Quinn]. He said before he wants to play with his brothers. That would be partly out of our control. In our control if we brought his brothers here. Rutherford said.
Quinn Hughes subtlety expresses frustration by not being dealt to New Jersey Devils
Quinn Hughes made his debut with the Minnesota Wild on Sunday evening against the Boston Bruins and made an instant impact, picking up his first goal with his new club in the early stages of the third period, helping them pick up the win by a score of 6-2.
After the game, Quinn Hughes opened up about his trade to the Minnesota Wild, saying that it felt like it was time for both sides to go their separate way.
"Yeah, I mean I don't know how much I'm allowed to say, but I have the ultimate respect for Jim Rutherford and Francesco Aquilini and the Aquilini family. They were first class with everything that was going on and obviously it was a tough situation, but I felt like it was time and I think Jim did too. Jim and Pat, Pat Brisson my agent, he was a beast, I'm very lucky to have him, but they were kind of talking a lot about places I might feel comfortable and Jim was amazing with that, he cared about the person. He wanted me to go where he thinks I would be happy and yeah." Hughes said.
During his post-game media availability, Hughes admitted that there were probably other teams in the mix for him leading up to Friday's trade and could've put together a package to acquire him, but they didn't want to part with certain assets, and reading between the lines a bit, it sounds a bit like he might be frustrated that he didn't end up with his brothers in New Jersey.
"There are other teams that probably could have thrown in certain packages like that, too, but at the end of the day they didn't want to do that or they didn't want to trade two or three assets from their team." Hughes said to reporters.
As much as Quinn might be frustrated, he has a good opportunity in front of himself with the Minnesota Wild and in 18 months when he's set to become a free agent, there's always a chance that the New Jersey Devils could circle back and finally bring the former Canuck to town.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16|2089 ANSWERS Quinn Hughes takes subtle jab at New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald for his offer to the Vancouver Canucks Are you surprised that the New Jersey Devils didn't win the Quinn Hughes sweepstakes? | ||
| Yes | 852 | 40.8 % |
| No | 1237 | 59.2 % |
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