NHL Rumors: Minnesota GM Bill Guerin shopping $12M star forward after Quinn Hughes addition

The Minnesota Wild may not be done reshaping their roster following the blockbuster addition of elite defenseman Quinn Hughes.

According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, Wild general manager Bill Guerin has continued to explore ways to upgrade his forward group in the top six. Guerin was reportedly searching for a scoring forward even before landing Hughes and that pursuit has not slowed in the aftermath of the high-profile trade.

The Wild have reportedly been shopping Ryan Hartman, who is signed through the 2026-27 season on a three-year $12 million contract carrying a $4 million cap hit. Hartman also holds a 15-team no-trade list which could complicate negotiations but does not eliminate trade possibilities.

“Minnesota GM Bill Guerin was looking for a top-six forward before he landed Quinn Hughes, and that search continues. Even with roughly $4 million in current salary cap space, the Wild may try to move out a body if it means taking another big swing this season. Word on the street suggests they have been shopping forward Ryan Hartman, who has another year left on his contract and a 15-team no-trade list,” Pagnotta wrote.

Minnesota currently sits with roughly $4 million in available salary cap space but the Wild are open to creating additional flexibility if it allows them to make another significant move this season. One way to do that could be moving out a roster player with term remaining.

Hartman has long been valued in Minnesota for his versatility and willingness to play multiple roles throughout the lineup. However, his production has been more in line with a middle-six forward and moving his contract could give Guerin the financial breathing room needed to pursue a true offensive upgrade.

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Minnesota Wild reportedly offered Ryan Hartman to the Philadelphia Flyers

Earlier last week, the Philadelphia Flyers reportedly explored the trade market for forward help after Tyson Foerster underwent season-ending surgery. Shortly after, the Minnesota Wild reached out to Philadelphia to gauge interest in Ryan Hartman, per insider Anthony Di Marco.

Foerster had been one of Philadelphia’s most effective forwards this season, posting 10 goals and 13 points in 21 games while handling a strong two-way role.

“According to sources from both the Flyers and Minnesota Wild, I’m told that the latter did reach out to discuss a potential trade once the news of Foerster came to light,” Di Marco reported. “I’m told that the Wild offered up center Ryan Hartman to the Flyers.”

Hartman’s physical edge and ability to play both center and wing makes him a logical short-term replacement target for a Flyers team trying to remain in the playoff mix.

Di Marco also noted that Hartman had been evaluated internally by Minnesota as a trade chip before the club completed its blockbuster acquisition of defenseman Quinn Hughes. At that time, the Wild were open to moving Hartman if salary relief was needed per the insider.

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Edited by Anjum Rajonno