The Bruins will have an unexpected new challenge when they face the Minnesota Wild on Sunday in St. Paul.
The Wild acquired Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks on Friday evening according to ESPN. The Canucks’ disappointing start had created considerable rumors that Hughes, the 26-year-old former Norris Trophy winner, could get dealt.
New Jersey, where his brothers Jack and Luke play, had been the primary focus of the trade rumors, but the Wild had been considered a dark horse.
Hughes, a likely member of Team USA in the February Olympics in Italy, joins American teammate Matt Boldy.
Vancouver received top defense prospect Zeev Buium, promising young forward Marco Rossi, former first-round pick Liam Ohgren and a first-round pick. Buium and Ohgren were Minnesota’s No. 1 and 3 prospects entering the year.
It would be a challenge, but not an impossible one, to get Hughes from Vancouver to Minnesota in time for the Wild’s 2 p.m. Saturday game vs. Ottawa, but he’s expected to arrive in time to face the Bruins. Hughes is a possible Olympic defensive partner for Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy.
The Bruins face Vancouver on Dec. 20.
