Wild HC John Hynes makes his feelings known on Quinn Hughes' chemistry with the team

Quinn Hughes had his first multi-point game during the Minnesota Wild's 4-3 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. With three assists, it was his 27th career three-assist game, third most for an American defenseman in the NHL.

Ahead of Saturday's encounter, Hughes had 4 points in 6 games for his new team. He was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Wild on Dec. 12 after a tumultuous start to the season for the Canucks, who he left as the franchise leader in points scored by a defenseman.

Head coach of the Wild during his postgame presser on Saturday said that he was impressed with Hughes' play as he seemed to be settling into the Wild's system.

“I think it continues to grow," Hynes said. "I think that guys are reading off of him, he’s reading off of other guys, and it’s just gonna get better over time.”

Hughes' influence was certainly felt against the Jets. He picked up an assist on the game-tying power play goal by Mats Zuccarello with 22 seconds left on the clock. Then, with 39 seconds into overtime, the Wild fans had a dream-like scenario with Kirill Kaprizov and Hughes assisting on a Matt Boldy game-winner.

Hughes now has 30 points in 33 games, tied for sixth amongst defenseman in the league and 13 points behind the leader and his counterpart, the Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar. The 26-year-old will hope to continue making up for the slow start to his individual season.

Quinn Hughes 'pretty comfortable' with Wild

Speaking to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Saturday's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, Hughes made his feelings known about settling into his new team.

"Yeah, I thought I was starting to feel pretty comfortable the last game there. Probably didn't realize some of the things that you want to think about when getting moved, but it was nice to get a couple of days off there for Christmas and get home and kind of rest my legs," Hughes said.

Hughes' performance in Minnesota could be crucial by the time his current contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season. He is currently in the fifth-year of his six-year, $47.1 million contract. He has earlier expressed his desire to play with his two bothers, Luke and Jack, who are with the New Jersey Devils.

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Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy