Hunter Haight Is Showing He Belongs - Even If the Wild's Roster Doesn't Have Room Yet
Injuries have been a recurring storyline for the Minnesota Wild this season, and once again, the team has had to lean on its organizational depth. But this time, the call-ups haven’t just filled jerseys - they’ve made an impact. One of the most intriguing names to emerge from this stretch is 21-year-old center Hunter Haight, who’s starting to show that his game might just be NHL-ready.
Haight, now in his second pro season, has been quietly carving out a reputation in Iowa as a dependable two-way center. His numbers - 7 goals and 5 assists in 26 AHL games - won’t light up a scoreboard, but that’s not what defines his game.
What stands out is how he plays: hard on pucks, smart in positioning, and relentless in effort. That kind of consistency earned him a nod to the AHL All-Star Game, and more importantly, a recent call-up to the NHL.
Now three games into his stint with the Wild - and counting - Haight is doing what every young player hopes to do when they get the call: he’s showing that his game translates. That’s no small thing.
The NHL isn’t just faster; it’s smarter, more physical, and less forgiving. But Haight hasn’t looked out of place.
In fact, he’s looked like a guy who gets it.
Let’s be clear: Haight isn’t here to score goals in bunches. He wasn’t that guy in juniors, and he’s not that guy in Iowa.
But that’s not a knock - it’s just the reality of his role. What makes him valuable is how he impacts the game in ways that don’t always show up on the scoresheet.
He’s a possession driver, a puck hound, and a player who makes smart reads and quick decisions in all three zones.
Physically, Haight plays bigger than his 5-foot-11, 181-pound frame might suggest. He’s got a sturdy base, a strong core, and a heavy bottom hand that lets him win battles along the wall and hang onto pucks under pressure.
He’s the kind of player who’s a handful on the forecheck and doesn’t shy away from contact. That’s the kind of grit coaches love in a bottom-six center.
But it’s not just the physical tools - it’s how he thinks the game. Haight’s skating is smooth and efficient, especially laterally, which allows him to close space quickly and defend against speed.
He’s decisive with the puck, knows when to push the pace, and is starting to show more confidence in tight areas. He’s not afraid to drive the net, and his playmaking instincts are quietly solid.
And while the AHL doesn’t track faceoff stats, Haight has been holding his own in the NHL circle. He’s taken 21 draws over the past three games and won 11 of them. That 48.6% win rate through five NHL games might not jump off the page, but it’s a strong foundation - especially for a young player adjusting to the league’s pace.
The numbers back up what the eye test has been showing. According to Natural Stat Trick, Haight has posted a 53.71% expected goals percentage over his last three games while centering a line with Marcus Foligno and Vinnie Hinostroza.
He’s broken even in scoring chances and has been on the right side of the puck in terms of possession. That’s not just riding shotgun with veteran linemates - that’s a young player doing his job and doing it well.
Of course, there’s still room to grow. Haight has had a few learning moments, particularly against Toronto and Montreal, where he tried to do too much and skated himself into trouble. That’s part of the adjustment curve - what works in the AHL doesn’t always fly in the NHL, where defenders close gaps faster and mistakes turn into goals in a heartbeat.
Defensively, he’s still figuring out how to manage switches and maintain positioning during extended shifts. That’s not unusual for a young center.
It’s a tough ask, especially when the pace ramps up and decisions have to be made in real time. But the Wild’s strong team structure helps insulate those growing pains, and Haight’s awareness and willingness to learn are clear.
Right now, Minnesota’s depth down the middle - especially with Ben Jones playing well and winning over 53% of his draws - means Haight’s NHL minutes might be limited in the short term. But that doesn’t take away from what he’s shown. On a team with less depth, he might already be a regular.
The good news for the Wild? They’ve got a young player who’s proven he can step in and contribute without disrupting the flow.
That’s a luxury most teams don’t have. And if Minnesota makes a deep playoff run - which they’re certainly built to do - having a player like Haight ready to jump in could be the kind of depth move that makes a difference in a long series.
For now, Haight might be headed back to Des Moines once the roster gets healthy. But he’s left a clear message: he’s not just a call-up. He’s a player on the rise.