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Quinn Hughes makes the Toronto Maple Leafs pay during his Minnesota Wild debut


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Alexander Cole
December 15, 2025  (10:01)
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Dec 14, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild defensemen Quinn Hughes (43) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period at Grand Casino Arena.
Photo credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes made his debut with a new team on Sunday, and he immediately made an impact against the Boston Bruins.

Quinn Hughes is one of the best defenseman of his generation, although he has been stuck playing for a disappointing Vancouver Canucks team over the years.
He was looking pretty miserable this season, especially with the Canucks finding themselves in the depths of the Pacific Division, with no way out.
On Friday, the entire hockey world was shocked to find out that Hughes had been traded to the Minnesota Wild in a deal that included guys like Zeev Buium and Marco Rossi.
Fast forward a couple of days to Sunday, when Hughes got to make his debut with the Minnesota Wild, and immediately made a massive impact.

Quinn Hughes makes his impact felt

Below, you can see that Hughes got his very first goal with the Wild in his first game, and he had a massive smile on his face the whole time, which was cool to see.
The Wild won the game by a score of 6-2, and it is clear that the defenseman is on a much better team that can actually compete for a Stanley Cup.
The Wild are third in the stacked Central Division, and it appears as though they are in a position to comfortably make the playoffs and perhaps even contend for the Cup.

Remorse for the Maple Leafs

As for the Maple Leafs, it was reported over the weekend that the Leafs were close to trading for Hughes, and that the team almost gave up Easton Cowan and Matthew Knies to do it.
Hughes is a phenomenal player, and his goal on Sunday is a subtle shot at all of the teams that didn't push hard enough for a trade. Perhaps the Leafs will feel regret in due time.
Whatever the case may be, the Wild are in a much better situation then the Leafs, and we're sure Hughes is happy with where he is right now.
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DECEMBRE 15   |   303 ANSWERS
Quinn Hughes makes the Toronto Maple Leafs pay during his Minnesota Wild debut

Do you believe Quinn Hughes will win the Norris Trophy with the Minnesota Wild?

YES12942.6 %
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