Usually, the biggest loser of the playoffs tends to be the team that loses in the Stanley Cup Final, one that endured a grueling journey through three rounds, making it all the way to the fourth and final one, just to fumble their chance at hockey immortality. Some could argue the biggest loser is a team that gets reverse-swept, in any round, spoiling an easy advancement by allowing a comeback when victory seems certain. This year, however, the New Jersey Devils could be the biggest losers, and all their players are sitting at home watching the games.
The Minnesota Wild are proving they are the real deal this year against the Dallas Stars, with the current series in favor of Minnesota, who holds a 3-2 series lead. Looking to get out of the first round for the first time since 2015, this Wild team is well equipped with the firepower and depth to go on a Stanley Cup run if they are able to slay the Western Conference powerhouses of Dallas and Colorado.
If they manage to do that and ultimately win the cup, it could change the course of future moves for the Devils, specifically with the remaining piece of the Hughes trifecta, defenseman Quinn Hughes, whose current deal expires at the end of next year.
The result of the Wild-Stars series could be a worst-case scenario for the Devils
If the Wild win the Stanley Cup, the direction Quinn decides to go after his contract expires could change completely. Despite having veteran players like Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Foligno, and Ryan Hartman in the twilight of their careers, their young guys like Danila Yurov, Brock Faber, and Matt Boldy, and with Kirill Kaprizov in his prime, might make Quinn Hughes more open to re-signing with the Wild in order to keep playing competitive hockey in a system he would already be used to.
After the past season the Devils had, if they don’t right the ship, possibly by acquiring a big name like Matvei Michkov or Brady Tkachuk, playing NHL-level hockey with his younger brothers might be an afterthought for him come free agency. If he experiences success with the Wild, it's more than likely he'll remain in Saint Paul.
That said, there is another way to look at it. Another possibility could be that a Wild Stanley Cup victory makes Quinn Hughes feel complete, and he decides, after checking that off his to-do list, that he is more open to coming to New Jersey and playing with his brothers, since he would already have a cup on his resume. That wouldn't be crazy to assume, but many Devils fans don’t want to find out. The safer route would be to root against the Wild and hope the eldest Hughes brother captures his first cup with both of his brothers while wearing the red and black. Only time will tell what transpires.
The Dallas Stars will travel to Minnesota for Game 6 of the series against the Wild at 7:30 EST on Thursday, April 30. If they earn a victory and force the series back to Dallas, it might be one step closer to seeing Quinn Hughes in a New Jersey Devils jersey.
Add us as a preferred source on Google