The Minnesota Wild acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks on Friday, potentially elevating their Stanley Cup contention. The 26-year-old Norris Trophy winner brings elite metrics in scoring, possession and skating to pair with forwards like Kirill Kaprizov. Hughes is set to debut against the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
The trade sends the 2018 No. 7 draft pick to Minnesota, where he could form one of the NHL's top skater duos alongside Kaprizov. Hughes, who won the 2024 Norris Trophy with 92 points (17 goals, 75 assists), holds Vancouver's all-time records for defensemen in points (432 in 459 games) and assists (371). Prior to the deal, he ranked second among defensemen in points since 2019-20 (429 in 454 games), behind only Cale Makar, and led in assists and power-play points (190) since his 2019 debut.
This season, Hughes tied for the defenseman lead in power-play points (12) and ranked 11th in overall points (23 in 26 games), despite missing five due to injury. He has three seasons with 30-plus power-play points, peaking at 38 in 2023-24. Minnesota's power play, already at 21.5 percent (11th in the NHL), features scorers Kaprizov (18 goals, tied for sixth) and Matt Boldy (17, tied for ninth).
Hughes' advanced stats highlight his impact. In shooting, he ranks in the 87th percentile for hardest shot (95.04 mph) and 99th for midrange shots on goal (29). Last season, he was second in the NHL for long-range goals (nine). For possession, his 5-on-5 shot attempts differential was plus-81, contrasting Minnesota's 47.2 percent (fifth-worst). The Wild rank eighth in offensive zone time (41.5 percent), while Hughes is third among defensemen (47.7 percent, 99th percentile).
Skating metrics show Hughes' speed: highest max among defensemen since 2021-22 (24.56 mph last season) and 90th percentile or better this year in bursts, distance and power-play skating. He led the NHL in average ice time (27:26). The Wild, with strong goaltending (.911 save percentage, tied second; six shutouts, first), could improve rush offense (22 goals, third-fewest) and 5-on-5 scoring (52 goals, third-worst).
Both sides seek postseason breakthroughs: Hughes has 26 playoff points in 30 games without reaching conference finals; Minnesota has exited early in eight straight appearances, last in Western Conference Final in 2002-03. From November 1, the Wild ranked second in points percentage (.789).
