Quinn Hughes traded to Minnesota Wild in blockbuster deal

The Canucks will receive Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Öhgren and a 2026 first-round pick as the return package, according to insider reports from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and TSN's Darren Dreger.

Hughes, 26, came into the league as the seventh overall pick by Vancouver in 2018 and quickly became one of the NHL's most dynamic defensemen, posting 76 points in 68 games last season and setting franchise records for assists and points by a defenseman for the Canucks.

Minnesota's acquisition of Hughes signals a clear push toward deep playoff contention. The Wild already have a stout defensive corps and a potent core with stars like Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, but adding a playmaking defenseman of Hughes's caliber gives them a high-end quarterback for the power play and increased transition speed that few teams can match.

For Vancouver, this haul is a blend of youth and future potential. Rossi, still just 23, has been a scoring forward with top-six upside, while Öhgren and Buium are both promising prospects with speed and offensive instincts that fit a rebuilding blueprint. The first-round pick adds long-term firepower in the draft, giving the Canucks flexibility in their continued roster retooling.

Canucks fans are sure to be divided on losing a franchise cornerstone, but the return reflects a bold pivot toward youth and cap flexibility. Vancouver now has assets to build around Elias Pettersson and a core that will need reinforcements in the top six to compete in a stacked Pacific Division.

This trade immediately becomes one of the biggest mid-season moves in recent NHL history, and it will be fascinating to watch how Hughes alters the Wild's playoff ceiling while the Canucks steer a new course with fresh talent and future capital.