Newly acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes is expected to make his Minnesota Wild debut Sunday as they host the Boston Bruins at Grand Casino Arena. The Wild enter on a three-game win streak following a 3-2 victory over Ottawa, while Boston aims to cap a perfect three-game road trip. Teammates are buzzing about Hughes despite the steep trade price.
The Wild face the Bruins at 5 p.m. CT Sunday at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul. Hughes, acquired Tuesday from the Vancouver Canucks for forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, defenseman Zeev Buium, and a 2026 first-round pick, impressed with elite production prior to the deal.
His debut follows the Wild's win over the Senators, where Tyler Pitlick, Ryan Hartman, and Joel Eriksson Ek scored, and Jesper Wallstedt stopped 34 shots.
Wild players can't wait. Kirill Kaprizov praised Hughes' skating, vision, and hockey IQ: "He's one of the best players in this league." Captain Jared Spurgeon highlighted his puck-moving: "To have him on our side makes it exciting." Brock Faber called it "an absolute treat," despite losing friend Buium. Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek shared the hype, with Eriksson Ek noting, "The way he holds onto pucks and finds open guys is top-tier."
Boston starts Jeremy Swayman (2.67 GAA, .913 SV% in 20 GP), led by David Pastrnak's 36 points in 27 games. Bruins injuries: Viktor Arvidsson, Jonathan Aspirot. Wild out: Jonas Brodin, Marcus Foligno, Vinnie Hinostroza, Jake Middleton, Mats Zuccarello. Records: Wild 18-9-5, Bruins 19-13-0; season series 1-1-0.
