Quinn Hughes Is Thriving in Minnesota - And So Are the Wild
It’s been just over a month since Quinn Hughes landed in Minnesota, and if there were any questions about how he’d adjust after the blockbuster trade from Vancouver, he’s answered them with authority - and then some.
Since joining the Wild, Hughes has been on a tear, racking up 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in his first 17 games. That’s production you’d expect from an elite forward, not a defenseman - but then again, Hughes has never been just another blueliner. He’s a game-changer, and right now, he’s playing like one of the best in the league.
The move to Minnesota seems to have done more than just unlock his offensive game. It’s also given him a fresh start mentally. Ahead of the Wild’s matchup with the Maple Leafs in Toronto, Hughes spoke candidly about the contrast between his new team and the one he left behind.
“This is just a better team,” Hughes said, not mincing words. “Watching Vancouver, I love a lot of those guys, and it’s competitive guys over there who want to do well. It’s tough sometimes, and I’m sure it’s not where they want to be and where I wanted it to be when I was there.”
That kind of honesty isn’t new for Hughes. He’s always been direct - and now, he’s also clearly rejuvenated.
At 26, Hughes is deep into the prime of his career, and it shows. Through 43 games this season, he’s piled up 41 points (four goals, 37 assists), continuing to be one of the most dynamic puck-moving defensemen in the NHL.
He’s in the fifth year of the six-year, $47.1 million extension he signed with Vancouver back in 2021, and come July 1, 2026, he’ll be eligible for another deal. If he keeps playing like this, the Wild will want to lock him up long before that date arrives.
A New Level of Confidence
It’s not just the numbers that tell the story - it’s the way Hughes is carrying himself on the ice. After Minnesota’s 5-4 overtime win in Buffalo on Saturday, where he notched a goal and an assist, Hughes gave a revealing glimpse into his mindset.
“I feel like I’ve been getting more grade A chances than I’ve ever gotten in my life,” he said. “I feel like I can pretty much walk out of every game with a goal.”
That’s a bold statement, but it doesn’t sound like bravado when you watch him play. Hughes is skating with confidence, jumping into the rush, quarterbacking the power play, and making the kind of high-end reads that only a handful of defensemen in the league can pull off.
And it helps that he’s surrounded by talent. Minnesota’s lineup, featuring stars like Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and rising force Brock Faber, gives Hughes the support - and the freedom - to be at his best. The chemistry is building, and it’s showing up in the results.
A Contender in the Making?
With Hughes settling in and making an immediate impact, Minnesota is starting to look like a team that could make some serious noise down the stretch. The Wild already had a solid foundation, but Hughes brings a level of poise, skill, and leadership that elevates the entire group.
And with the trade deadline approaching, don’t be surprised if GM Bill Guerin decides to double down. This team has the pieces to compete - and if Guerin adds another weapon or two, the Wild could become a real problem for the rest of the Western Conference.
For now, though, the focus is on what’s already working. And right now, what’s working is Quinn Hughes - thriving, confident, and clearly right at home in Minnesota.