Hughes Trade Elevates Wild’s Stanley Cup Prospects in NHL EDGE Stats
The Minnesota Wild’s chances of contending for the Stanley Cup have significantly improved with the acquisition of defenseman Quinn Hughes. Known for his offensive prowess, Hughes brings valuable skills to enhance the Wild’s already strong power play.
Power Play Enhancement
Currently, Minnesota boasts a power play efficiency of 21.5%, ranking 11th in the NHL. The addition of Hughes, who is recognized as a high-scoring power-play quarterback, could elevate this statistic even further. Before the trade, the Wild’s primary power-play unit already included two top goal scorers: Kirill Kaprizov, with 18 goals, tied for sixth, and Matt Boldy, with 17 goals, tied for ninth.
Playoff Experience
Quinn Hughes has recorded 26 points—two goals and 24 assists—in 30 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. However, he has not yet reached the conference finals. The Wild, on the other hand, have struggled in the postseason, losing in the first round of their last eight appearances and last making the Western Conference Final in the 2002-03 season.
Key Factors for Success
Three primary reasons suggest Hughes can elevate the Wild into serious Stanley Cup contenders:
- Shooting Metrics: Despite missing five games due to injury this season, Hughes stands out among defensemen. His hardest shot this season reached 95.04 mph, placing him in the 87th percentile. Additionally, he has demonstrated exceptional skill in midrange shots with 29 total (99th percentile) and long-range shots totaling 28 (88th percentile).
- Possession Stats: Hughes had a remarkable plus-81 shot attempt differential in 5-on-5 situations for Vancouver. This can significantly bolster a Wild offense that ranked fifth worst in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (47.2%) before the trade. Hughes also ranks third among defensemen for offensive zone time percentage at 47.7%.
- Goal Support: The introduction of Hughes is expected to provide additional offensive support to Minnesota’s goalies, Filip Gustavsson and rookie Jesper Wallstedt. The Wild had a team save percentage of .911, placing them in competition for the best defensive records in the league. They ranked first in shutouts and led in 5-on-5 save percentage of .933 prior to the trade.
Conclusion
Quinn Hughes’s trade to the Minnesota Wild has the potential to transform the team’s standings this season. With improved power play metrics, playoff experience, and a significant boost to offensive and defensive statistics, the Wild could emerge as strong contenders in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
