My big news: I've left The Athletic because they wanted me to stop covering the Twins.
I refused to give up my dream, so I'm betting on myself and returning to my independent roots.
I need your support to make it work. Join me and let's do this together: https://t.co/osUsyR3GwG
Aside from being a top-3 defenseman, Quinn Hughes hits some real areas of need for the Wild.
Minnesota ranks...
Zone Exit Success Rate - 11th
Zone Entry Success Rate - 27th
Rush Chances - 32nd
Turnover Rate - 18th
Hughes is a one-man breakout. He cuts through the neutral zone as well as any defenseman in the NHL.
Hughes also leads the league in stretch pass completions. The Wild attempt more stretch passes than any team but connect at a below average rate - one of the reasons they lead the league in icings.
For as much as Hughes had the puck on his stick in Vancouver, maybe too much at times, he also rarely turned it over. Quantity at an extreme level with a high degree of quality.
Watching Hughes and Kaprizov play keep away is going to be entertaining. Monster add by the Wild.
Quinn Hughes trade thoughts:
1) Van had to move now. This was going to drag down the season. All signs pointed to him leaving. We all knew it. Best time to get a big package. The Wild get Hughes for over a season and a half. They can start talking contract now. They can't officially ink him until July 1st. Unless the Hughes Corporation forces another trade (the 1974 banger "Rock The Boat" was sung by Hues Corporation) Minnesota is the only team that offer Hughes dying 8 year deal with all the juicy front loading as they goes away next September with new CBA. Like his brothers in New Jersey, Quinn is in a high tax state in Minnesota. We'll see if that matters.
2) Guerin and Rutherford are good trading partners. Both alphas who swing from the heels. Don't try to win a trade. Make a deal. Guerin got a "in his prime" superstar but gave Van a possible haul. No one was taken advantage of. Who knows? Maybe Sherwood or Kane or both end up in Minnesota! (Could use them both on 3rd or 4th line)
4) Zeev Buium. 31 games into his career. 3-11-14
Quinn Hughes first 31 NHL games: 2-22-24.
Zeev is a gigantic talent and a winner. U18 Gold, Two U20 World Junior Gold, World Championship Gold. All in successive years (2023-2025)! NCAA Champion with Denver. Should have won a Hobey. Big time talent and player. He rises to the occasion in big moments. If he develops high end professional work habits with his big game talent he can be a Hughes peer in terms of production or at least very close.
5) Marco Rossi is good. He can be a 30 goal, point per game guy with good wingers. Ideally a perfect #2 center but he is a confident player who took a bridge deal because he sees himself as more than the Wild did. (Part of that was Wild cap mgmt). Those players play with something to prove. He's a UFA in 2029.
6) Liam Ohgren turns 22 in January. A first rounder and looks the part. He's scored at every level except the NHL. Start him on 3rd line, trade Sherwood (might get late first from good team, more likely a 2nd) and Kane. Then give Ohgren Top 6 minutes to see what you got. Talent and measurables are not enough in the NHL. You need to be tough, confident and smart.
7) The 1st rounder for Van will likely be 27-30 overall for Van. Decent. Their own pick should be a Top 3.
8) The Wild were already a Top 10 NHL team. This makes them a Top 3 team. They have 3 stars now in Kaprizov, Boldy, and Hughes. And Faber is close. GMs know they need stars. They are hard to get. Is Minnesota A) Colorado, B) Dallas or (With Barkov and Tkachuk) C) Florida? Not yet. But they are closer and good as every other team in the NHL. None of those (COL, DAL, or FLA) teams have a 1st rounder next summer. But they, like Minnesota, have one in 2027 to deal. (Florida not another one until 2028. But two 2's next summer.)
9) This trade all but locks up the Top 3 in the Central which means either the Avalanche, Stars, or Wild will see their season end in April with a first round playoff exit.
An electric NHL season got even more voltage with two trades on Friday. Let's go.
Powerful: Steelers rookie RB Kaleb Johnson recently got baptized committing his life and heart to God:
“I experienced one of the most powerful and meaningful moments of my life, my baptism. Surrendering my heart and declaring my faith in Jesus Christ.”
Such a special moment captured 🙏❤️
After years long battle, Glen Taylor and Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez have agreed to complete full ownership to Lore-Rodriguez, sources tell ESPN. Taylor will not appeal Minnesota arbitrators that ruled in favor of Lore-Rodriguez in February. NBA will start transfer process.
just thought of the Steven Jackson-Shawne Merriman Nike commercial with the theme from The Last of the Mohicans.
this might need a re-do with some current players.
DAMN: The #Vikings have tributed their season to Khyree Jackson, their rookie CB, who tragically died this offseason.
🥹
Minnesota has had a remarkable season. They have already clinched a playoff spot and have a 13- and 2 record.
Chills watching this.
Thank you again for all the outpouring of love for our Ben. I can’t tell you how much it means to me and my family.
He wasn’t just my best friend – he was America’s best friend ❤️
This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know. We found out today the cancer had spread throughout Bens organs and there was nothing left we could do-we had to let him go. I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 on 1. He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. Always a big smile and a soft tail wag. He and I could communicate..he and I understood each other and had each others backs. He was with me more than anyone at home and traveling with me for work. Such an easy going companion. Hard day-but he will live within all of us forever. God please bless his majestic soul and thank you for putting him in my life for the last 10 years-a true blessing.
Love you Ben. 🙏🏼
Marc-Andre Fleury is a true treasure. Walking back to the #mnwild locker room, he just hopped on the sheet of ice with these teenagers in the Penguins Excel Hockey Camp and surprised them by tending goal for two minutes