Bold upheaval around a star defender: Hughes wouldn’t stay in Vancouver forever. A day after Minnesota Wild emerged as the victor in the Quinn Hughes sweepstakes, multiple teams explored ways to land the Canucks’ standout blueliner, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun. The New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers reportedly made real attempts to acquire Hughes, while the Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres showed interest to a lesser degree.
Ultimately, Minnesota assembled the most compelling offer, trading a package that included center Marco Rossi, forward Liam Öhgren, defenseman Zeev Buium, and a 2026 first-round pick for Hughes, the 26-year-old American who claimed the Norris Trophy in 2024.
Hughes has two goals and 21 assists in 26 games this season for the last-place Canucks, who sit at 11-17-3. The Devils pique particular interest because Hughes would be joining a familiar setup, with his brothers Jack and Luke already on the roster.
He is in the midst of the fifth year of a six-year, $47.1 million contract and is slated to hit free agency after the 2026-27 season. Over 459 NHL games with Vancouver, he has recorded 61 goals and 371 assists, including a 2023-24 campaign that produced 92 points (17 goals, 75 assists). Hughes also contributed two goals and 24 assists over 30 playoff appearances, with playoff berths in two of his eight seasons with the Canucks.
Vancouver selected Hughes seventh overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, cementing his status as a cornerstone talent to watch as the league’s trade winds shift around him.
