Five Weeks Later: Checking in on the Quinn Hughes Blockbuster

It’s been five weeks since the Vancouver Canucks sent captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. In addition to a first-round draft pick in 2026, Vancouver also received three players: Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, and Liam Ohgren. Now that a few weeks have gone by since the trade that took place on December 12, it’s a nice time to check in to see how both teams have fared.

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History in the State of Hockey

Since Hughes debuted in Minnesota, he’s been even better than advertised. He has already scored 18 points in 17 games. He even set a franchise record for defensemen with a four-assist night against Anaheim in early January!

The Wild paid a hefty price to land the superstar blueliner, but Minnesota GM Bill Guerin knew the high price was worth it. He commented:

“Bringing a player like Quinn Hughes here, you just don’t get these opportunities all that often… when a player of Quinn’s caliber comes available, and you have an opportunity to get him, there’s a cost to it and we were willing to do what it takes.”

A Reality Check in Vancouver

While Hughes is thriving, his former team is in a historic tailspin. Over the last few weeks, the Canucks have completely hit a wall. As of today, January 18, 2026, Vancouver has registered 10 straight losses (0-8-2) and has yet to win a single game in the new calendar year.

Hughes’ new teammates in Minnesota are feeling the “Hughes Effect” in the best way possible. Superstar Kirill Kaprizov couldn’t be happier with his new teammate, as he commented:

“Quinn is so good… I knew how good he was offensively, the way he can make plays and get the puck out. But I didn’t know how good he was defensively. I just love it.”

The Verdict: A Tale of Two Directions

So, five weeks into this trade: the results are black and white. Minnesota found a major part of the engine needed to make a Stanley Cup run; Vancouver is feeling the painful reality of a rebuild.

How this trade shapes up in a year or two remains to be seen. Hughes could wind up elsewhere and someone like Zeev Buium could become a star. For now, the Wild are loving this deal, and the Canucks are paying for it.

Next: 5 Years Later, This Flames-Panthers Trade Looks Like an All-Time Heist