Hughes Brothers Could Join Forces in Minnesota

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NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils
Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

The (20-9-5) Minnesota Wild return to play Thursday evening, in Columbus against the (14-13-6) Blue Jackets. They come in riding high on the adrenaline rush of their recently completed blockbuster trade for Quinn Hughes.

Entering tonight, the eldest Hughes brother has been exactly as advertised. Not only has he upgraded the defense pairings, but Quinn has given the Wild a shot of adrenaline on the offensive end of the ice too.

Quinn Hughes effect already being felt by Minnesota Wild

In the two games Quinn Hughes has played for the Minnesota Wild (BOS, @ WSH) they are 2-0-0 and have outscored their opponents 11-2. Both were blowout victories.

In his MN Wild debut Sunday against the Bruins, a 6-2 victory at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Hughes splashed with his third goal of the season, first ever as a member of the Wild.

A couple nights later, in a 5-0 shutout victory over the Capitals on Tuesday, Hughes blocked three shots and tallied the second point of his Wild career — a power play assist that came via Kirill Kaprizov putback and one that was almost solely generated by Hughes.

It was the 26-year-old superstar who held the zone, right before Kaprizov’s goal. And it was also Hughes whose shot bounced off Eriksson Ek and onto the stick of Kaprizov, 10 feet in front of the net… and he doesn’t miss from there.

Many casual hockey fans around Minnesota probably did not know how good Quinn Hughes was, before he arrived in Minnesota. If you have watched him play since, it’s obvious why president of hockey operations Bill Guerin made such a bold move last weekend.

Guerin made the right move… unless

Sending away the equivalent of FOUR first round picks, in order to land a superstar defenseman, is a lot to give up. But you have to give to get and what they Wild got with Hughes is a legitimate opportunity to win the Stanley Cup.

Of course, there is still one doomsday scenario still in play. It is still possible that Quinn Hughes decides between now and the end of his contract (UFA after 2026-27 season) that he does not want to stay in Minnesota.

Quinn Hughes : Washington Capitals at Minnesota Wild
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

If the Wild cannot sign him to an extension, after fans see him play for 1.5 seasons, it would be devastating. But if he really respects and appreciates Bill Guerin, which is the main reason he is here, why would he leave?

Well, most around the league believe he’d do so in order to play with his younger brothers, Jack and Luke — who are both under contract with the New Jersey Devils. It’s the three brothers’ dream to play together. Most assumed that would be where two of the three already sit on the same roster.

Plausible: Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes end up with MN Wild

But on a recent episode of the Spittin’ Chiclets Podcast, though, former NHLers Paul Bissonnette, Ryan Whitney and Matt Murley took a look at Minnesota’s situation vs what’s going on in New Jersey. Their conclusion… it probably makes more sense for Quinn’s younger brothers to come to him and play for the Wild.

Biz: “[Minnesota] is kind of that perfect balance for hockey junkies like the Hughes brothers.

I feel like a lot of superstars now are really considering those midwest-type places where they can go and just focus on hockey — good teammates, good organizations, good culture and go and enjoy the rest of their careers.

Some people are saying, ‘oh he’s just going to go play with his brothers in a few years.’ Ha, oh yeah?”

Murls: “Why can’t the brothers go play in Minnesota? Nobody ever said it has to be in New Jersey.”

Spittin’ Chiclets

Of the three Hughes brothers, (24 y/o) Jack and (26 y/o) Quinn are the two superstars. (22 y/o) Luke is a very good hockey player, but he is not on the same level as his brothers. Because of that, Spittin Chiclets thinks it’ll be the older two who are toughest to get on the same roster.

Hughes brothers make more sense in Minnesota

Jack’s contract is up in New Jersey 3.5 years from now, following the 2029-30 season. If Quinn re-ups with the Wild before then, the decision will rest on middle-brother Jack, who currently has 10 goals and 10 assists in 17 games for the Devils this season.

And if he comes the the State of Hockey… then Ryan Whitney, Biz and Murls believe little brother Luke would be the easiest of the three brothers for Minnesota to acquire.

Whit: “I’m not trying to throw any shade or anything. But you’ve got Quinn and you’ve got Jack. Right now, you go way down, and you’ve got Luke. In terms of the type of players we’re talking about, Luke is not near those other two guys. So what is stopping Jack from being like, ‘I’m going to Minnesota when this deal is done.’?”

Biz: “Peace.”

Murls: “Yeah, and then they can figure out how to get Luke there.”

Spittin’ Chiclets
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