The Vancouver Canucks revealed on Friday that they have completed a trade sending team captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. In exchange for the talented defenseman, the Canucks will be acquiring forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, defenseman Zeev Buium, and a first-round pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL entry draft.
During a news conference on Friday night, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin discussed the leadup to the trade, mentioning that they had been aware for about a year that Hughes might be interested in moving on. Despite efforts to persuade him to stay, when it became clear that Hughes was set on leaving, the Canucks began exploring trade options to secure the best return for the team’s future.
The trade took place following the Canucks’ recent 3-2 defeat against the Buffalo Sabres, further highlighting their struggles this season as they currently sit at the bottom of the NHL standings with 25 points and a 2-7-1 record in their last ten games.
Hughes, a standout player for the team, had accumulated 23 points, including two goals, this season and had been a key contributor to the franchise. Originally drafted seventh overall by the Canucks in 2018, the 26-year-old from Orlando, Florida, was awarded the Norris Trophy in 2024 as the league’s top defenseman, setting a new record for points by a Canucks defenseman.
Vancouver Canucks team president Jim Rutherford expressed gratitude to Hughes for his contributions, referring to him as one of the greatest players in the team’s history. Rutherford also welcomed the new acquisitions, stating that they would play a crucial role in the team’s ongoing rebuilding process, ensuring a promising future.
Allvin acknowledged the team’s recent challenges compared to their past successes, emphasizing the need to adapt and revamp the roster. The trade signifies a strategic shift towards integrating younger talents to build a competitive team for the future.
The incoming players from the Wild, including Rossi, Ohgren, and Buium, bring promising skills and potential to the Canucks. Rossi, a ninth overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft, has showcased strong performance this season, while Ohgren and Buium were also first-round selections for the Wild.
When questioned about a possible “culture problem,” Allvin dismissed the notion, expressing confidence in the team’s leadership group and the vision set by head coach Adam Foote for the Canucks moving forward.