Ek’s note…featuring this great piece from Kevin Allen this morning. enjoy…

It could be years before we know who wins the Quinn Hughes trade because there are too many questions with too many answers that won’t be known for years.

Can Hughes help the Wild win the Stanley Cup this season or next? Will Hughes re-sign with Minnesota?  Who will the Canucks draft with the 2026 first-round pick? Will defenseman Zeev Buium end up having a similar impact to Hughes?

We could easily ask several more questions that have answers that will help determine ultimately which team wins the trade. But what we can look at today is how the trade is impacting both teams since it was transacted:

Trade, Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks, Dec. 13

The Canucks send Hughes to Minnesota for forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, defenseman Zeev Buium and a 2026 first-round pick:

Minnesota in Short Term: In 18 games in a Wild jersey, Hughes boasts two goals and 18 assists for 20 points. The Wild are 10-4-4 with Hughes in the lineup.

Vancouver in Short-Term: Marco Rossi started slowly with Vancouver, registering only two points in his first eight games. He suffered a lower body injury Dec. 30 and won’t be back until after the Olympic break. Ohgren is a third line winger with five points in 18 games. Based on today’s standings (with no consideration of what playoff results will be), the gem of the deal for Vancouver is defenseman Zeev Buium. They believe he can be a top pairing defenseman. The 20-year-old former college player is a second pairing D Man today with five points in 17 games.

Short-Term Verdict: The Wild feel like the winner because they received the most talented player. Hughes has been at the top of his game and the Wild are optimistic about their chances of re-signing him. They are a better team with Hughes in the lineup. The Canucks aren’t unhappy with the deal either because they would not have been able to re-sign Hughes. \

Trade, Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers, Dec. 12

Penguins move goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Sam Poulin to the Edmonton Oilers for goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

Edmonton Short -Term: The Oilers are happy because Jarry hasn’t lost in regulation. But he’s only played five games because of an injury. He’s back now. Unquestionably, the Oilers believe as if they have upgraded their goaltending. Poulin is in the AHL.

Pittsburgh Short-Term: Pleased with their goaltending stable, they were ready to move on from Jarry’s contract ($5.375 million cap hit) that has this season and two more to go. Brett Kulak has become a crucial player on defense. Stuart Skinner has a 2.49 GAA and most importantly the Penguins are in third place in the Metropolitan Division. The draft picks seem like a bonus 

Short-Term Verdict: In the short run, the Penguins are ahead in the trade because Kulak is a 20-minute defenseman and their goaltending hasn’t suffered by trading Jarry. The Oilers cannot complain about this deal because Jarry is 4-0-1 with a 2.58 goals-against average and .907 save percentage. The only problem is that Jarry missed time with an injury. But his numbers are better than Skinner’s numbers in Edmonton. Skinner’s save percentage was .900 over his last 74 starts in Edmonton. If the Oilers win the Stanley Cup, they will win long-term .  

Trade, Columbus Blue Jackets and Seattle Kraken, Dec. 19

Seattle Kraken sent Mason Marchment to the Blue Jackets for a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The 2026 fourth-round pick was previously acquired from the New York Rangers.

Columbus Short-Term: Marchment is an edgy forward who had five goals and two assists for seven points in his first five games with Columbus. But he suffered an injury. He is listed week-to-week. He was the player Columbus hoped he would be before he was injured.

Seattle Short-Term: Marchment didn’t work out in Seattle and the Kraken didn’t see him being re-signed. They were pleased with the return.

Short-Term Verdict: The Blue Jackets expect him back and hope he can help them have a stronger second half. GM Don Waddell hopes to re-sign him.

Trade, Los Angeles Kings and Montreal Canadiens, Dec. 19

The Kings moved forward Phillip Danault from the Canadiens for a 2nd-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft 

Montreal Short-Term: The Canadiens brought him in to be a defensive specialist and he’s doing that by winning faceoffs (54.1%) and helping on the penalty kill. His offense had been on the decline in Los Angeles, but he shows five points in 13 games for Montreal.

Los Angeles Short-Term: The Kings were ready to move on from Danault and were happy with a second-round pick.

Short-Term Verdict: The winner is Danault, back in Montreal where he previously played. Danault is a Quebec native. The Habs appreciate what he offers.

RUMOR CHART UPDATE THIS AFTERNOON