Bill Guerin was wrist deep in a bowl of meatballs when he completed one of the biggest trades in Wild history.

Though they didn’t land Hughes, the Devils still gained something from the saga coming to an end: clarity. New Jersey is injury-riddled and in need of reinforcements as it drops in the standings. Now, Fitzgerald does not have to worry about preserving potential cap space or trade chips for a Hughes package this season.

San Jose Sharks see Vancouver Canucks, Minnesota Wild, execute blockbuster deal involving Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes