NHL Rumors: Quinn Hughes, and NHL Expansion

Would the Minnesota Wild keep Quinn Hughes as an own rental or him move at the deadline if he won’t extend?

Daily Faceoff: Johnny Lazerus and Colby Cohen on what’s next for Quinn Hughes.

Lazerus: “If I was ranking 1, 2, 3, what I think is most likely to happen, my number one now is that he makes it to UFA.”

Cohen: “So he’ll be traded then.”

Lazerus: “What are you getting? What are you getting if their hands, they’re tied? It’ll look like a (Artemi) Panarin deal with L.A. You’re gonna get a prospect, and what are you gonna get?

If I’m Billy and my hands are tied, everyone knows Quinn is not going to sign. I’d rather have Quinn for a playoff run than move him for a low return or a minimal return. I’d rather get him for one more playoff run, maybe, and maybe that playoff run even changes his mind. Who knows?”

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Cohen: “You’re not going all the way to the deadline with Quinn Hughes. You’re not going all the way to the deadline. If you get the idea that he’s not coming after a month, maybe two, you’re saying to him, ‘Let’s get a sign and trade. We gotta maximize your value.’ And you’re right.”

Lazerus: “Why give something up when we can get them in July 1st?”

Cohen: “Sure, right. But if you’re New Jersey, you might also not get him in free agency. There, there’s no guarantee, right?”

There isn’t unanimous support for NHL expansion

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman, on some owners who are initially against the idea of expansion. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman usually has some idea of the lay of the land before pushing for something. He usually gets what he wants.

“When they first announced the Houston/Austin idea, there were some reports that there were owners who were against this, and there wasn’t unanimous support.

I don’t think Bettman ever does anything without knowing that the executive committee is 10 of his owners; I don’t think he does anything without knowing they’re on his side.

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I remember at the time I said, “Okay, people say it, and then when it really comes down to it, Bettman gets what he wants.’ I’ve just heard this time again there’s some opposition. I think we’re going to find out on Tuesday how serious that opposition is or isn’t.”