Former Michigan standout defenseman Quinn Hughes was involved in one of the biggest blockbuster trades in NHL history on Friday night.
The Vancouver Canucks sent its captain and former Norris Trophy winner to the Minnesota Wild for three players and a 2026 first-round pick. The players headed to Vancouver – defenseman Zeev Buium, forward Marco Rossi and forward Liam Ohgren – are all former first-round selections as well.
It’s a massive return for Vancouver for dealing one of the top players in the league who is making a bargain $7.85 million annually before his deal expires following the 2026-27 season.
Since debuting in March 2019, Hughes leads all NHL defensemen with 371 assists and 190 power-play points and ranks second with 432 points. The seventh-overall pick in 2018 won the Norris in 2023-24 when he recorded a career-high 92 points for a Canucks team that won the Pacific Division.
With Vancouver sitting in last place in the NHL, Hughes has been the subject of trade chatter for weeks. The Red Wings and Devils, who both his brothers currently play for, had been linked with the Canucks as potential trade partners, but it was Minnesota that decided to go all-in and meet Vancouver’s asking price.
Hughes will join an already deep blue line in Minnesota that includes Brock Faber, Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild has lost nine straight playoff series and has reached the conference finals just once in its 25-year history.
The team is currently in third place in the Central Division with a 17-9-5 record. Hughes isn’t eligible to sign an extension until July 1.
Hughes spent two seasons at Michigan from 2017-19 before turning pro. He helped lead the Wolverines to the Frozen Four as a freshman and led all Big Ten defensemen in points as a sophomore. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder had 10 goals and 52 assists in 69 career collegiate games.