The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics already feel different. For the first time in 12 years, NHL players are back on the Olympic stage, and hockey buzz is building fast as teams prepare for the opening puck drop.
Amid all that excitement, a lighthearted social media moment unexpectedly stole some attention. The Minnesota Wild were quick to chime in after the New Jersey Devils made an awkward editing mistake involving Quinn Hughes.
Wild React After Devils’ Awkward Quinn Hughes Crop Sparks Buzz
The Devils shared a pair of photos on social media to send off Jack Hughes ahead of the Olympics. The first image showed Jack walking in a Team USA jersey. The second featured Jack alongside Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.
But fans quickly noticed something was off. A closer look revealed seven legs in the photo, Jack missing a hand, and an obvious editing mishap: Quinn Hughes awkwardly cropped out of the original image. Quinn had been standing between Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Hughes before the edit.
Here is the Original photo:
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The Devils captioned the post, “Ciao, Jack,” clearly intending to spotlight their star forward. Instead, the strange crop sparked instant reactions across social media.
The Minnesota Wild didn’t miss the moment.
Responding to the post, the Wild joked, “We’d be more concerned about the obvious fashion don’t here but that’s just us.” The comment appeared to poke fun not just at the edit, but also at Jack’s outfit in the first photo, where he was walking in sneakers while carrying his skates.
A Subtle Nod to Trade Drama?
The moment carried extra intrigue given recent history. Before Quinn Hughes was dealt to Minnesota, there had been heavy speculation and trade discussions about reuniting him with his brothers, Jack and Luke, in New Jersey.
Instead, the Wild completed a deal to acquire Quinn Hughes on December 12, 2025, ending those reunion hopes. Some fans couldn’t help but wonder if the awkward crop was a tongue-in-cheek reflection of that missed opportunity.
On the ice, however, the focus is firmly on hockey. Jack Hughes was a full participant in Team USA’s practice on Sunday after missing the Devils’ final three games before the Olympic break with a lower-body injury. “Feel good. Feel good,” Jack said. “Body feels in a good spot.”
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Quinn Hughes, meanwhile, missed last February’s 4 Nations Face-Off due to an undisclosed injury. Speaking generally about injuries, Quinn noted how unpredictable they can be. “I mean, injuries are tough,” Quinn said. “Obviously, the one with the hand was a freak one, and you just want him to be healthy and be at his best.”
With Jack and Quinn both suiting up for the U.S., Team USA receives a significant lift as the tournament gets underway. Team USA begins preliminary-round action Thursday against Latvia, with puck drop set for 3:10 p.m. ET.
