Most of Sam Malinski’s closest friends have become Colorado Avalanche fans in recent years, but they’re still Minnesota kids at heart.
Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin, center, redirects a shot at Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko, right, as defenseman Quinn Hughes watches during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov.
22, 2023, in Denver. Most of Sam Malinski’s closest friends have become Colorado Avalanche fans in recent years, but they’re still Minnesota kids at heart. That’s why he understands the celebration happening back home. The Minnesota Wild made a seismic trade Friday night, acquiring all-world defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks. “They are all pretty excited,” Malinski said. “Minnesota hasn’t made a trade like that in a long time. There is a lot to be excited about there.” It’s probably the biggest trade in franchise history for the Wild. Minnesota made waves around the NHL before the season began, signing star forward Kirill Kaprizov to the biggest contract in league history, an eight-year pact worth $17 million per season. The Wild have been a solid team in recent seasons, but adding Hughes could be a game-changer. He won the Norris Trophy two seasons ago, and is the consensus No. 2 defenseman in the league behind Colorado’s Cale Makar. He can add another level of offensive firepower to a club that was already tied for fifth in the league standings as of Saturday morning. “I think it could be a really good deal for both teams,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “Obviously with Hughes going to Minny, they’re immediately better, right? And they’re already one of the top teams in the league and a really good team in our division right now, so … something we’re going to probably have to deal with at some point. Then I think for Vancouver, under the circumstances, they’re getting some really good young pieces, and could be a really good trade for their future as well.” Former University of Denver star Zeev Buium is going to Vancouver in the deal, along with young forwards Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren and a first-round pick. The Wild already had a strong defense corps, with Brock Faber, Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon leading the way in front of breakout goaltender Jesper Wallstedt. But Hughes adds a different dimension. He’s right there with Makar as a one-man offensive engine, both at even strength and on the power play. There’s been plenty of speculation that Hughes would join his brothers, Jack and Luke, with the New Jersey Devils. Quinn has one more season after this one on his current contract, and will be a potential unrestricted free agent in July 2027. And just like Makar, whose contract is up at the same time, Hughes will likely command a massive contract. Minnesota is now the only team that can offer him an eight-year deal, and the Wild have some time to try and convince him to stay in the Twin Cities. “I guess it’s still early,” Avs forward and New Jersey native Ross Colton said. “Who knows what could happen in a year or two. That was pretty crazy. He’s a great player, and they gave up a lot to get him. I guess that makes this division even more challenging than it already is.”Avalanche honor 1996 champs, blast two-time defending champion Panthers in 6-2 winRenck: Has it really been 30 years? Avs players reflect on city’s first championship at reunion The top of the Central Division was the best in the NHL last year, with the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars and the Avs all among the top Stanley Cup contenders. That led to a titanic first-round series between the Avs and Stars because of the NHL’s playoff format. Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota are all among the top eight in the league standings right now, and that’s before Hughes joins the Wild. It’s already likely that it will lead to another huge first-round series between two of the best teams in the NHL, and quite possibly the top two teams in the entire league meeting in the second round. That makes winning the division, and avoiding a brutal one-two punch to just reach the second half of the tournament so important. “That’s what makes this format stupid in my opinion,” Colton said. “I’ve always like 1-8 better. I think it made getting first a little more valuable. But that’s out of our control.”Justice Department sues Colorado secretary of state to force release of detailed voter informationScandinavian-design home in Denver's Belcaro neighborhood lists for $8.8MColorado school district reinstates substitute teacher suspended over Charlie Kirk postThis Colorado town is among top U.S. cities for ‘where a real-life Hallmark holiday story is most likely to unfold’ This Colorado town is among top U.S. cities for 'where a real-life Hallmark holiday story is most likely to unfold'
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PLNU advances to Division III national semifinals in women’s volleyballPLNU (28-4) will face second-seeded Concordia-St. Paul (30-5) at 2 p.m. Friday in the semifinals in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Read more »
In football-first Celina, a coach has broken trust, sowed divisionCelina is known for its high school football team, on its way to a shot at a 10th state championship. But the community has been rocked by accusations against...
Read more »
Multiple central Ohio football players earn Division 1 All-Ohio honorsAfter clinching their first state championship, Olentangy Orange continues to receive accolades.
Read more »
Tina Peters Sentenced: A Case Highlighting Election Security and Political DivisionFormer Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted for her role in a security breach related to the 2020 presidential election. The case highlights broader concerns about election security and the integrity of voting systems, while also exposing deep political divisions.
Read more »
PLNU’s women’s volleyball season ends in Division II Final FourPoint Loma Nazarene finishes the season 28-5.
Read more »
Top 5 Division II transfer portal standouts and their 2026 landing spots (Dec. 13)With a bevy of intriguing late-bloomer Division II prospects available, here are the top five D2 transfers and their chosen or potential landing spots.
Read more »