Minnesota Wild coach John Hynes said it’s not up to him whether Quinn Hughes will play with Brock Faber at the Olympics.

But if Team USA coach Mike Sullivan needed any convincing, all he has to do is look at the stats since Hughes arrived in a blockbuster trade to Minnesota last month. What started out as a one-game trial has turned into a six-week tour de force, with Hughes and Faber combining for seven goals and 41 points in 20 games.

Chemistry this instant is not easy to find. Which is why you have to imagine that the dynamic defensive duo, who seem so similar but bring different elements that complement each other’s game, will be paired together in Milan next month.

“Both of them are obviously high-end players,” said Hynes, who is an assistant coach for Team USA. “I would say they’re a little bit different in the way that they play. But they’re both excellent skaters, I think they can break the puck out well, they can transition the puck well, and obviously you see their skating ability, whether it’s off the rush or in the offensive zone, they’re mobile and they make very good decisions with the puck.

“From a defensive standpoint, they’re both committed guys. They’re not just one-way players — they play a strong, two-way game.”

Chances are the Olympics were not on Bill Guerin’s mind when the Wild GM acquired Hughes in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 18. But considering that Guerin is also the GM of the U.S. Olympic team, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a defense pairing that looks like they’ve been playing together for years — not weeks.

After all, the Olympics are a short tournament with little lead-up time. The last NHL game is on Feb. 5. A week later, the U.S. starts the tournament against Latvia on Feb. 12.

"Chemistry is obviously important,” Guerin told The Hockey News in October. “You’re wheels up and you’re wheels down and you practice and play.”

Not that Hughes needs much time to feel comfortable, anyway. From the moment he arrived in Minnesota, Hughes has fit in seamlessly with the Wild, helping the team to a 11-5-3 record. In 20 games, he has two goals and 24 points. Faber has also benefitted, scoring five goals and 17 points, while adding about a minute more per game in ice time.

“The way he moves — from the time he got here, I think everyone was like, 'Whoa,' " said Faber said of Hughes. “You don’t realize how good he is until you see it and you play with it. He’s only going to get better the more comfortable he gets. Obviously, he’s been playing so good for us. He’s been a huge part of why we’re winning games. Just such a great addition.”