Hughes is providing his skill and intangibles to the locker room, coach John Hynes said, calling him “kind of like a hockey savant” with knowledge of every player in the League.
“He’s a highly intelligent kid,” Hynes said. “Behind the scenes in conversations, there’s a lot of substance to what he says. As a leader on a team, as a former captain, when he does have things to say within the room to the guys, I think it’s thoughtful and on point and direct.”
Hughes is also still trying to take a breath. He said this season was a mental challenge with a condensed schedule, leaving Vancouver for Minnesota, winning gold in Italy and returning home for a playoff push that will likely land the Wild a date with the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference First Round.
“Everything that happened in February was unbelievable, but you get acclimated, then you leave, then you’re trying to get reacclimated, so that’s kind of what I’m feeling like right now,” Hughes said. “Obviously looking forward to being able to play playoff hockey here but have to focus on the next date as well.
The Wild, six points behind the second-place Stars in the Central with one game in hand, have Hughes lined up for his first playoff appearance since helping the Canucks go 50-23-9, win the Pacific Division and reach Game 7 of the second round in 2024, a 3-2 loss to the Oilers on home ice. Times are wholly different. The Canucks (22-44-8) were the first team eliminated from playoff contention this season and are developing first-round draft picks in Buium (No. 12, 2024), Rossi (No. 9, 2020) and Ohgren (No. 19, 2022).
“It’s a little strange,” Hynes said. “I would say on one side of it, on Quinn, having experience even as a coach, it always is a little different playing against the team you just came from, so it will probably be a fun night for him and an interesting night. As far as Marco and Liam and ‘Z’, I’m happy for those guys. There in a situation where they’re getting some ice time and I think they’re all playing pretty well and a big part of their team now but also a big part of their team moving forward. They’ve moved on to a different situation, but that situation’s been great for them as well.”
