Quinn Hughes powers Wild's deepest playoff run in 11 years
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 3
Quinn Hughes powers Wild's deepest playoff run in 11 years
7 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 3
The 26-year-old Minnesota defenceman is averaging 31:40 in the playoffs and 27:44 overall, the NHL's heaviest workload by more than a minute.
Since arriving in a December trade, Hughes has helped turn Minnesota from a likely first-round exit into a Stanley Cup contender, with teammates and executives crediting his all-round impact.
His endurance was also showcased at the 2026 Milan Olympics, where he scored a US overtime winner against Sweden, underscoring the skating and conditioning behind his unusually heavy minutes.
How have the Hughes family's unique training methods and Olympic experiences shaped Quinn's ability to redefine the defenseman role in modern hockey?
Will the Wild’s bold trade for Hughes pay long-term dividends, or could his heavy usage risk burnout before achieving a Stanley Cup?
Can Quinn Hughes sustain his record-breaking workload and lead the Wild past Cale Makar’s Avalanche in their high-stakes playoff showdown?