Quinn Hughes Takes Blunt Shot at Canucks: “This Is Just a Better Team”

Quinn Hughes seems to have settled into life as a member of the Minnesota Wild just fine, now over a month removed from the blockbuster trade that sent Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, Marco Rossi, and a 2026 first-round pick back to the Canucks.

The superstar defenseman has been especially productive of late, clipping at better than a point-per-game with 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) through his first 17 games with the Wild. Not only has he physically found his footing in Minnesota, but he also appears to have mentally moved on from Vancouver and its struggles.

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Hughes spoke to the media ahead of Monday night’s game in Toronto against the Maple Leafs and, unsurprisingly, was asked about the trade. The always-honest blueliner didn’t shy away from addressing the difference between his new situation and his old one.

Hughes said:

“This is just a better team. Watching Vancouver, I love a lot of those guys, and it’s competitive guys over there who want to do well. It’s tough sometimes, and I’m sure it’s not where they want to be and where I wanted it to be when I was there,”

The 26-year-old’s season totals are up to 41 points (four goals, 37 assists) across 43 games so far in 2025-26. He’s in year five of the six-year, $47.1 million extension he signed with the Canucks in 2021, eligible for an extension come July 1, 2026.

Quinn Hughes Is Certainly Enjoying Minnesota

This isn’t the first time Hughes has expressed his happiness since joining the Wild — something he doesn’t do all that often.

Following Saturday’s 5–4 overtime win in Buffalo, in which he tallied two points (one goal, one assist), Hughes had this to say: “I feel like I’ve been getting more grade A chances than I’ve ever gotten in my life. I feel like I can pretty much walk out of every game with a goal.”

That’s certainly bound to be the case when you add a Norris Trophy–winning defenseman to a lineup featuring the likes of Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber, among others.

With Hughes continuing to grow more comfortable in Minnesota, the Wild will be a serious contender to watch out for moving forward — especially if GM Bill Guerin decides to take another big swing ahead of the trade deadline.

Next: Kiefer Sherwood Traded to Sharks for Two Picks and Defenceman Cole Clayton