Quinn Hughes Has Transformed the Wild-and He Might Be Sticking Around
If you’ve been watching the Minnesota Wild this season, you know it’s been something special. Through 58 games, they’ve racked up a 34-14-10 record, good for 78 points-second in the entire NHL, trailing only their division rival, Colorado.
That kind of pace doesn’t just turn heads; it puts them on track to challenge the franchise’s all-time best 113-point season from 2021-22. But the real story isn’t just in the standings-it’s in the blue line.
Back in December, the Wild pulled off one of the boldest moves in their 25-year history, acquiring Quinn Hughes in a blockbuster trade that sent shockwaves across the league. You don’t often see a reigning Norris Trophy winner moved midseason, let alone one in his prime. But Minnesota went for it-and so far, it looks like they hit the jackpot.
Hughes Has Been a Game-Changer
Since Hughes joined the Wild on December 12, Minnesota has gone 16-5-5 with him in the lineup. He missed the first game post-trade but has been a fixture ever since.
And head coach John Hynes hasn’t hesitated to lean on his new star. Hughes is averaging a staggering 28:18 of ice time per game-more than any coach has ever asked of him-and he’s thriving under the workload.
In those 26 games, Hughes has put up 3 goals and a whopping 31 assists. He’s also chipped in defensively with 27 blocked shots, 4 hits, and 12 takeaways.
His Corsi For percentage has dipped slightly from the 60%+ he posted in Vancouver the past two seasons, but at 58.7%, he’s still controlling play at an elite level. Simply put, he’s been everything Minnesota hoped for-and then some.
The Future: Extension Talks Heating Up
When the Wild made the deal, one big question loomed: would Hughes stick around beyond next season? The 26-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 campaign, and at the time of the trade, he made no promises about his long-term future in St. Paul.
Fast forward to now, and the mood has shifted. According to reports, it would now be a surprise if GM Bill Guerin doesn’t get an extension done this offseason.
That’s a significant change in tone, and it speaks volumes about how Hughes has settled into his new hockey home. He’s reportedly enjoying everything from the fan base to the team culture-and being closer to family hasn’t hurt either.
Of course, nothing’s guaranteed. Hughes wants to win, and how the Wild perform in the postseason will likely play a big role in his decision.
But the early signs are promising. The question isn’t so much if a deal gets done-it’s how long it’ll be.
What Might a Deal Look Like?
There’s some intrigue here. Hughes could opt for a shorter-term deal-say, three years-to line up with the end of his brother Jack’s contract. Or he might go all-in and sign an eight-year extension, which would be the last time he’s eligible for a deal of that length.
Either way, it’s going to cost. A lot.
Hughes and Colorado’s Cale Makar are expected to reset the market for elite defensemen. With Kirill Kaprizov already pulling in $17 million per year, it’s not out of the question for Hughes to command something in the $14 million range. That’s a massive number, but considering what he’s brought to the Wild-on both ends of the ice-it’s hard to argue he’s not worth it.
A Legitimate Cup Contender
With Hughes and Kaprizov leading the charge, Minnesota isn’t just a feel-good story-they’re a real threat. The team has balance, star power, and now, a top-tier defenseman who can tilt the ice every time he hops over the boards.
If the Wild can keep Hughes in green and wheat for the long haul, this could be the foundation of something special. For now, the focus is on finishing strong and making a deep playoff run. But behind the scenes, don’t be surprised if Guerin is already working the phones, trying to lock up the franchise’s most impactful trade acquisition in decades.
Quinn Hughes has changed the game in Minnesota. And by the looks of it, he might be here to stay.