One of the biggest storylines surrounding the Minnesota Wild is the future of defenseman Quinn Hughes, whom they acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in a blockbuster trade last season.
Hughes is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a salary-cap hit of just under $8 million. His next deal is expected to be worth significantly more. However, the Wild recently faced a more immediate concern on the blue line when Brock Faber suffered a fractured skull blocking a shot against the Dallas Stars during the preseason. Faber underwent surgery and is out indefinitely.
Per NHL analysts Michael Russo and Joe Smith, Faber's injury could potentially have an effect on Hughes' long-term future with the club, considering their status as partners on the blue line.
Article Continues Below“One of the reasons Hughes has loved playing in Minnesota was seeing how effective he could be playing alongside Faber,” Russo and Smith wrote via The Athletic. “No defense pair logged more ice time together in the NHL after Hughes’ arrival. No defense pair created more actual and expected goals.”
They continued:
“So not only could Faber’s indefinite absence directly impact wins and losses this season, but it also could directly impact Hughes’ mood. Suddenly he won’t have his partner in crime around to shoulder the load. Suddenly, he’ll have to carry the blue line — at least offensively — even more.”
Hughes played 27:30 and had an assist with five shots on goal during Minnesota's 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday evening in their season-opener.