The Minnesota Wild are enjoying one of their strongest stretches of the season, and much of it can be traced back to one massive move. Since acquiring Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks, the Wild have surged into second place in the Central Division and are riding a three-game winning streak.
As Minnesota eyes a deep playoff run, one Hockey Hall of Famer believes the organization needs to make its next priority crystal clear.
Hall of Famer Urges Wild to Get Serious About Quinn Hughes
The Wild landed Hughes in a blockbuster deal that sent Marco Rossi, Liam Öhgren, Zeev Buium, and a 2026 first-round pick to Vancouver. So far, the trade has paid off in a big way.
Before Hughes arrived, Minnesota’s defense corps ranked 29th in the NHL in scoring. Since his debut on Dec. 14, Wild defensemen now rank first in the league with 75 points. Hughes alone has posted 29 points in 24 games, carries a plus-10 rating, and averages over 28 minutes of ice time per night. He is currently riding an eight-game point streak.
Simply put, he has changed the team’s identity.
Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger weighed in on Hughes’ impact and didn’t mince words. “Quinn Hughes as their #1 Dman slots everyone else into their appropriate fit and from a match up perspective for the Wild,” Pronger said. “This is where other teams miss a player of his stature and why #1 dmen are so valuable and pricey.”
When a fan asked Pronger who the Wild should target next, his response was even more direct. “They need to figure out how they can pay Quinn Hughes what he’s worth,” Pronger replied. “How much can he command?”
Hughes is in the final season of his six-year, $47.1 million deal and is on track to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Given how dramatically he’s transformed Minnesota’s blue line and overall performance, the Wild can’t afford to let him be just a short-term addition.
A deep playoff run could be a major factor in showing Hughes that Minnesota is a true Stanley Cup contender. Not simply another skilled team that can’t quite break through when it matters most.
Hughes Is Loving His Time in Minnesota
Since the trade, the Wild have continued to add around the edges. It included the acquisition of forward Boris Katchouk from Tampa Bay on Dec. 28. The on-ice results have followed, highlighted by a dominant 7-3 win over the Oilers on Saturday.
After that game, Hughes said, “It’s been really enjoyable. The guys are great. No complaints here.”
For now, everything is clicking in Minnesota. The next big question is whether the Wild can turn this momentum into a long playoff run. And, more importantly, a long-term commitment from their franchise defenseman.
