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Quinn Hughes has been traded and Blackhawks fans should be thankful

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Sam Walker
December 13, 2025 (11:18)

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Blackhawks fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when the Vancouver Canucks finally shipped Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild, because the asking price on a true Norris Trophy winning star was steep and Chicago didn't have to surrender its future to get him.

Hughes, the American defenseman taken seventh overall in 2018 and the 2024 James Norris Trophy winner, was officially traded by the Canucks to the Wild for a haul that included forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Öhgren, defenseman Zeev Buium, and a 2026 first-round pick.

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Rumors earlier in named the Blackhawks as a team interested in trading for Hughes, though most chatter focused on assets like Kevin Korchinski and high prospects Chicago could offer.

Why Chicago dodged a franchise mortgage in acquiring Quinn Hughes

As a rebuild around Connor Bedard continues, Chicago has legitimate young building blocks of its own in Sam Rinzel and Frank Nazar, both former first-round picks expected to be core pieces in the years ahead.

Rinzel, a right-shot defenseman the Blackhawks selected 25th overall in 2022, is already trending toward a key role in Chicago's mix. His size, mobility, and poise make him a future cornerstone on the blue line.

Nazar, chosen 13th overall in 2022, adds scoring upside and top-six potential that a team on the rise can build around.

If Chicago had chased Hughes, that hypothetical offer would've included these two top young pieces plus a first-round pick, essentially mortgaging the next wave of youth for a rental star whose contract expires before unrestricted free agency eligibility.

Instead, the Hawks kept their prized assets, maintaining a deep pipeline and the flexibility to grow around Bedard without sacrificing Rinzel, Nazar, or premium picks.

That's a huge win for Chicago's long-term rebuild.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Blackhawks complete roster move following Connor Bedard's injury that signals a long-term absence

Here's how the Patrick Kane trade really worked out for the Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard Right Shoulder Injury Rocks Blackhawks Push

POLL
DECEMBRE 13 \| 289 ANSWERS Quinn Hughes has been traded and Blackhawks fans should be thankful Should the Blackhawks have traded Sam Rinzel, Frank Nazar, and a 1st-round pick for Quinn Hughes?
Yes	124	42.9 %
No	165	57.1 %
List of polls

Quinn Hughes has been traded and Blackhawks fans should be thankful

Blackhawks fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when the Vancouver Canucks finally shipped Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild, because the asking price on a true Norris Trophy winning star was steep and Chicago didn't have to surrender its future to get him.

Why Chicago dodged a franchise mortgage in acquiring Quinn Hughes

Should the Blackhawks have traded Sam Rinzel, Frank Nazar, and a 1st-round pick for Quinn Hughes?