The Vancouver Canucks have officially traded their captain, Quinn Hughes, to the Minnesota Wild. This significant move was announced on Friday and is among the largest transactions in Wild history. In exchange for Hughes, the Canucks received three roster players and a first-round draft pick.
Details of the Trade
The Canucks acquired the following players from the Wild:
- Defenseman Zeev Buium, 20 years old
- Center Marco Rossi, 24 years old
- Winger Liam Ohgren, 21 years old
This deal signifies a bold strategy from Wild General Manager Bill Guerin, especially after securing Kirill Kaprizov with a record-breaking contract this summer. The trade comes as the Wild look to improve their playoff performance; they have not advanced past the first round since 2015.
Quinn Hughes: A Star Defenseman
Quinn Hughes, who is just 26, was drafted first overall by the Canucks in 2018. He has made a name for himself as one of the premier defensemen in the NHL. Last season, he won the Norris Trophy after achieving a career-high 92 points, helping the Canucks to finish at the top of the standings.
Hughes is also set to represent Team USA at the upcoming Olympic men’s hockey tournament. While he did not request a trade, speculation surrounded his potential departure due to the Canucks’ rocky season, entering the trade at the bottom of the Pacific Division with an 11-17-3 record.
Future Implications for the Canucks and Wild
The Canucks made their intentions clear when they communicated to the league that they were open to trading several pending unrestricted free agents. Although Hughes was under contract until the end of next season, this situation attracted interest from multiple teams, including a significant offer from the New Jersey Devils.
While the Devils aimed to reunite Hughes with his brothers, Jack and Luke, who play for the team, they could not compete with the Wild’s comprehensive offer. The Canucks received a total of at least six offers before settling on Minnesota’s better-suited proposal.
Next Steps for Hughes
Hughes is not eligible to sign an extension with the Wild until July 1, which leaves the door open for future discussions regarding his long-term future. As the situation develops, his performance and adaptation to the Wild will be closely monitored by both teams and fans alike.
