MInnesota Wild fans had to wait a little for their newest player to make his debut with the team, but it was worth it. Quinn Hughes, in his first game game following the blockbuster trade on Friday found the back of the net for his third goal of the season, and first as a member of the Wild. It was the home team’s fourth goal of the night on their way to a 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.
With nothing more than a warm-up skate to get to know his new teammates, Hughes went out there and skated for 26:55 generating 3 shots on 6 scoring attempts while getting credited for 4 individual scoring chances. That’s a pretty good night for a defenseman, but Wild fans will be thrilled to know that Hughes believes things can only get better.
“I think it’s going to take 4,5,6 games, but once we get rolling, I think we’re going to be hard to beat.”
It was part of a recurring theme throughout his post-game press conference, the idea that once he gets to know the system and the tendencies of his teammates, his play will get even better. Even his head coach, John Hynes, acknowledged that there is room to grow in the system.
“There’s a couple of little things probably from defensive zone and rush coverage, not so much with the puck, but without the puck.”
Hynes also mentioned that getting the practice time necessary to acclimate Hughes to the Wild’s system is at a bit of a premium right now. With Minnesota scheduled for five games (including a back-to-back) over the next nine nights, much of the familiarization will take place during games.
Some chemistry developed over the course of the game with Brock Faber as the two skated together for 18:46 of 5v5 ice time and the Wild posted a positive edge in scoring chances (11-10) and goals (2-1).
As for Hughes’ goal, it was a solid showcase of the talents he brings to the ice. He started the play in his own zone as he cut across the ice and pushed the puck out of the zone. That allowed the Wild to enter the zone and Ryan Hartman drew attention to himself along the boards. That opened up space at the top of the slot for Hughes to skate into. Hartman hit him with the pass and Hughes’ shot trickled through the pads of Jeremy Swayman.
Hughes admitted that he felt a bit fatigued after the “whirlwind” of a weekend and nerves got the better of him early on. It’ll be a heck of a show once he gets his feet under him and feels comfortable with the team.