We already talked about how Quinn Hughes getting traded to the Minnesota Wild was a complete discouragement for the New Jersey Devils. The team had already been struggling and missing out on what seemed destined to happen, Quinn joining his brothers Jack and Luke, was a complete vibe killer. Ironically we were motivated to write that article because of the Devils immense struggles since and just by chance us writing that aligned perfectly with the first meeting of the three brothers since the trade.
If the Devils are a perfect example of a team with “bad vibes” the Minnesota Wild are the opposite. What makes that even more impressive is how bad the outlook was the franchise right before the season began. When the best player in franchise history (we think he’s earned it at this point) Kirill Kaprizov turned down what would have been the biggest contract in NHL history in September critics were ready to declare the Wild dead men walking. Their superstar would leave, it would be hard to attract free agents to cold Minnesota, and general manager Bill Guerin seemed primed for an impending rebuild.
What happened next? Not only did Guerin remain calm but shortly after he did get Kaprizov to sign a different “biggest deal in NHL history”. The Wild’s young pieces from smart drafting continued to improve. Don’t forget burgeoning blue line star Brock Faber eight year contract extension kicks in this season. The two most important pieces of Minnesota’s lineup are locked up for the long term, so those worries about the Wild’s demise were overdramatic and premature.
Then Guerin swings for the fences and adds Quinn Hughes. Wrestling him away from the Devils was a morale victory in itself and the treasure chest of cheap talent (especially Zeev Buium) made the deal happen when the Devils were trying to clear cap space by hiding pennies in their couch cushions. Now Quinn has taken “Quinnisota” by storm.
Hughes scored in his first game with the Wild, in a game that Kaprizov also had two goals. In a January 2nd game against the Anaheim Ducks Hughes became the first defenseman in Minnesota Wild history to record four assists, and the first Wild player with a four point game since 2018. Quinn’s arrival started a four game winning streak for the Wild. In the 16 games since the trade Hughes has one goal and 15 assists for 16 points. The Wild’s record over that time frame is an impressive 8-3-4.
Maybe the addition of Hughes is the thing that puts the Wild franchise into high gear. The Wild haven’t advanced to the second round of the playoffs since the 2014-2015 season. They haven’t advanced past the second round since the 2002-2003 season, which is the franchise’s only appearance in the conference finals in their history. Before we even get that far just let it be known it’s hard to imagine things going as well as they are in Minnesota back when Kaprisov rejected that initial contract extension in September. The team, and the hope of their fans, has done a complete 180 since then.