TEMPE, Ariz. — And just like that, after having breakfast and sharing laughs with his now-former teammates Thursday morning, Brandon Duhaime is no longer a member of the Minnesota Wild, having been sent to greener pastures for a chance to become the latest ex-Wild player to win a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche.

Two years after Nico Sturm got to hoist that cherished trophy in lieu of accepting what sources say was a five-year contract offer from the Wild worth around $2.2 million annually, Duhaime was shipped to Colorado for a third-round pick in 2026.

Wild president and general manager Bill Guerin, who loved Duhaime but wasn’t going to offer him a contract beyond this season, informed Duhaime at the team hotel that a trade could be imminent and that he would be held out of Thursday night’s game against the Coyotes to protect his health. But things progressed quickly after that, and soon after arriving at Mullett Arena on Thursday morning, Duhaime was pulled aside and informed he had been dealt to the Avs.

Duhaime quickly rushed to the airport. Wild players, who watched this unfold, were apprised of the news during a team meeting before going about their business, strutting out onto the ice for their morning skate.

Duhaime was a popular teammate, and it was clear players like Mason Shaw, Freddy Gaudreau and Connor Dewar — who has also been shopped in advance of Friday’s 2 p.m. Central trade deadline — were stunned. Adam Beckman, recalled from Iowa, assumed Duhaime’s spot on the left side of Dewar and Freddy Gaudreau and played there against the Coyotes.

Such is life as a pro athlete. Life goes on.

“You hear about speculation and talk of what could possibly happen,” Shaw said. “But then when it becomes reality and we’re all sitting here and warming up and getting ready for practice, having laughs with a guy and he finds out he’s getting traded, it’s a tough time. But it’ll be good for him, at the same time. I mean, obviously, he’s going to a good team and someone we’re going to see very, very soon here, which is kind of a crazy thing. I’m sure that’s not going to be easy for him.”

NHL trade grades: Brandon Duhaime is a perfect fit for the Avalanche’s fourth line

By ⁦@eduhatschek⁩ https://t.co/7bPK6Xfbuo

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 7, 2024

Duhaime, along with former Minnesota Mr. Hockey Casey Mittelstadt, Sean Walker and Yakov Trenin, could all be debuting for the Avs against the Wild on Friday night at Ball Arena. The big question for the Wild is whether any of their other players, like Dewar or injured Pat Maroon, could be joining Duhaime out the door before the clock strikes 2.

Guerin said Thursday that he has gotten interest on both players.

The Wild entered Thursday’s NHL action nine points out of a playoff spot with 20 games left. A couple of Saturdays ago, they had climbed within two points of a spot.

So Marcus Foligno, who missed his 12th game with a groin injury Thursday night but expects to line up against Duhaime in a return to Minnesota’s lineup Friday, said Wild players did this to themselves.

“It’s tough to put ourselves in this situation where we gotta see those things happen,” Foligno said. “It’s frustrating. It’s not a fun time of year. I know we’re still trying to get in and rightfully so. But we’re in a position that you think if shoulda, coulda, woulda in other areas, we wouldn’t be doing this.

“We put ourselves in a position to see guys have to leave, and I think that’s on us players. We gotta blame ourselves when you lose buddies. I’ve been a part of it in Buffalo every trade deadline, and it’s not fun. It’s a crappy time and (Duhaime) was pretty down when he had to go. But he’s got a great opportunity in Colorado, for sure, and just a guy in the room that’s going to be missed.

“As much as we razz the guy, that means everyone loves him. That’s a guy that everyone really gravitated toward. Awesome guy. Work ethic on and off the ice. Great role player.”

For #Avs fans wanting to get to know Brandon Duhaime, and #mnwild fans hoping to reminisce, our @TheAthletic player poll gives a feel. Including the infamous categories he was picked for. “You only make fun of people you love.” https://t.co/9YbPq8ReAk

— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) March 7, 2024

Guerin also respected what the 26-year-old 2016 draft pick brought to the Wild’s bottom six. He’s a fast, physical player who is willing to drop the gloves. Offensively, though, he didn’t contribute much, going the past 47 games without a goal.

Guerin, knowing what Duhaime was seeking as a restricted free agent last summer, decided he wasn’t willing to pay that price this offseason. Plus, he needs to clear spots for roster hopefuls next season.

“Lineup was getting full,” Guerin said. “I think where he’s headed, money-wise, it was gonna make it really tough. … From being drafted and developing through the Wild, playing a couple of years in the minors and then being an impactful player, it makes it hard to move a guy like that.

“Honestly even more so, you hear what his teammates say about him, and my interactions with him were always great and fun. He’s a good player, he’s a great teammate and he’s going to a great situation. We wish him nothing but the best. He deserves it.”

There aren’t expected to be many moves Friday beyond perhaps Dewar and Maroon, although Shaw and Dakota Mermis are pending free agents. Most other players have partial or full trade protection, including Marc-Andre Fleury and Alex Goligoski, who are on expiring deals but have no-move clauses.

Guerin said he doesn’t envision trading anybody with term left on their contracts, but one does wonder if he’s at least dangling Filip Gustavsson to a playoff contender in need of a goalie if the team would make it worth the Wild’s while.

That may be more of a summer move, but there’s no doubt Gustavsson has had a rough season (17-15-3 with a 3.30 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage) in the first year of a new three-year contract.

The Wild rank 29th in the NHL with an .894 save percentage and dead last with an .878 third-period save percentage. Gustavsson has a save percentage below .900 in eight of his past 10 starts with a 3.33 GAA. He ranks 38th in the NHL with an .871 save percentage on the penalty kill.

Some players are walking on eggshells.

“I’ve been through it a lot early on, getting traded at the deadline two years in a row,” said veteran Ryan Hartman, who isn’t going anywhere after signing a three-year extension in October. “It’s a stressful time for everybody. Fans enjoy it, fans love it, but still, someone’s life is being uprooted. Having to pick up and go, it’s kind of crazy when one second you’re doing this and by tomorrow he’s going to be living somewhere else.”

With Duhaime’s departure, Beckman, a once-budding prospect who entered Thursday’s game with no goals and one assist in 12 NHL games and saw no action during his previous call-up, got a chance. With Foligno set to return and Marat Khusnutdinov expected to arrive Friday night and debut in the coming days, it’s up to Beckman to prove himself. If he doesn’t, whether it’s in Colorado or later, he’s going to have a hard time staying in the lineup over Jake Lucchini or Vinni Lettieri.

“It gives a guy like Adam Beckman an opportunity,” Foligno said. “Guys need to step up. You never know what happens in this situation. But we’re not technically bringing up some first-time player. We’re bringing up some guys that have played NHL games. So, if they can chip in, great. This is the time to do it now, and we’ll see where we are in a couple days, if we’re closer to the fight.”

Beckman said that’s his goal.

“I’m glad to be here, and playing in these meaningful games is exciting,” he said. “It’s the kind of hockey you wanna be playing during the stretch here. I hope to come in and try and make an impact. … I think that, for me, is trying to push the pace offensively, getting pucks on net, trying to contribute and stuff like that.”

The Wild will need contributors against the loaded-up Avs. Valeri Nichushkin is expected to return for them Friday, and Hart Trophy candidate Nathan MacKinnon has registered at least a point in 31 consecutive home games — in addition to the new faces, including the beloved Dewy 1.

“We actually joked about (fighting each other) this morning, just laughing, and then it happens,” Foligno said, laughing. “We’re going to definitely mix it up with him for sure (Friday) night. I’m going to get my licks in, but he doesn’t have to worry about me. He’s got to worry about a lot of other guys in here like maybe (Marc-Andre Fleury).

“I’m sure it’s going to be weird for him. It’s probably going to be one of those games where even if it wasn’t against us — I’m sure you go to a new team, your first game is probably a blur. You’re just trying to get to know everyone. That’s going to be different seeing him on the other side.”

(Top photo: Matt Blewett / USA Today)