Quinn Hughes is staying in the NHL’s Western Conference after being traded to the Minnesota Wild on Friday night.
The Vancouver Canucks have dealt the star defenseman to Minnesota for a blockbuster package that will include Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 first-round pick. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first on the news with the full details of the move.
In 26 games for the Canucks this season, Hughes has recorded 23 points (2g, 21a). The 26-year-old defenseman is signed through next season (2026-27) at a $7.85 million cap hit.
The 2024 Norris Trophy winner has recorded over 60 points in the last four seasons, with a career-high 92 points (17g, 75a) in 82 games during the 2023-24 campaign.
Hughes has been rumored to be on the market since earlier this fall after the Canucks started the 2025-26 season very poorly, and things have not gotten any better as they currently sit dead last in the NHL with their 11-17-3 record. The team reportedly had a slew of interested potential trade partners, including the Washington Capitals, but jumped at the package the Wild offered.
Rossi, 24, and Buium, 20, are the main centerpieces of the return for Vancouver. Rossi recorded 60 points (24g, 36a) in 82 games for the Wild last season and is under contract at a $5 million cap hit through the 2027-28 season. Buium, the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, has 13 points (3g, 11a) in 31 games for the Wild this year, his rookie campaign.
Among all NHL rookies, Buium, a left-handed defenseman, ranks fourth in time on ice per game (18:28). He is a former NCAA champion with the University of Denver and a two-time gold medalist with Team USA at the last two World Juniors.
Ohgren, the son of Nicklas Backstrom’s Swedish trainer and close friend, Andreas Ohgren, was the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. In 46 career NHL games, the 21-year-old left winger has recorded seven points (3g, 4a). He has zero points in 18 games this season.
The Wild made the massive addition of Hughes, while currently sitting third in the Central Division with a 17-9-5 record. Hughes could make his debut with the club as soon as Saturday night against the Ottawa Senators.
Update (8:30 pm): The trade is now official.
