The aftereffects of the Quinn Hughes trade from the Vancouver Canucks to the Minnesota Wild are still being felt across the NHL. As many hopefully know by now, the Canucks traded Hughes to the Wild for Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 first-round pick.
NHL Rumors: Some Fallout After the Quinn Hughes Trade to the Wild
Despite reports from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on Saturday Headlines, saying the Canucks were told by Quinn Hughes and his agent Pat Brisson around U.S. Thanksgiving that he would not be re-signing when he was eligible on July 1, 2026. However, more information is emerging indicating that the Canucks knew he would not re-sign as early as last season, if not longer.
Rutherford clarified that the indication he got 1.5 years ago was more of a feeling than anything else. But it was communicated to them this off-season by Quinn‘s camp that it was highly unlikely he would extend here. #Canucks
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) December 13, 2025
Vancouver knew this past off-season, despite extending Thatcher Demko and re-signing Brock Boeser, that the writing was on the wall that Quinn Hughes was not staying. GM Patrik Allvin admitted so after the trade was executed. The eldest Hughes brother was saying all the right things about being focused on this season. You will have to know my answer by July 1st, and this season will determine his future in Vancouver.
Behind the scenes, the Canucks were preparing for his departure. They didn’t want to use the word “rebuild” while Quin Hughes was there, or he was definitely gone. Remember, President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford made it clear back in January of this year that if the Canucks were going to rebuild, Quinn Hughes was gone.
“If we were going to completely start over, that means he goes, and we’d like to figure out a way that he’s here forever,” Rutherford said to the Globe and Mail.
NHL Rumors: Minnesota Wild Went All In with Quinn Hughes. Can They Keep Him?
He followed that up on the 100 percent hockey podcast with John Shannon on May 2nd, 2025, that if Quinn Hughes was staying, he was going to move him.
“We control him for a year and two-thirds because if we get to that trade deadline two years from now and it looks like he doesn’t want to stay, then we would have to do something,” Rutherford said.
Soon after Rutherford made the famous statement about Quinn Hughes wanting to play with his brothers. So he knew in May that his captain wasn’t and still tried within their power to keep him there, but the losing got to him.
“It was indicated during the offseason that it was highly unlikely he was going to sign an extension here, wanted to be closer to his family and his brothers. At that time, I was 100% sure there was no chance I was changing his mind,” Rutherford told the Vancouver media after the trade.
Rutherford clarified his statements about Quinn Hughes wanting to play with his brothers, saying Hughes wanted to be closer to them and, at some point, to play with them. But the organization knew, and all he needed was an ok from ownership, which he got to move the franchise-altering defenseman out of Vancouver to start the rebuild.
NHL Rumors: Quinn Hughes Open Minded To Staying in Minnesota
And the Canucks handled the situation with class and professionalism, as Pat Brisson, Quinn Hughes’s agent, has told the media. While everyone can see that the player didn’t have trade protection, this was another instance where the team treated him as if he did. It was the unofficial official trade protection.
Just look at what is going on with the Nashville Predators and Ryan O’Reilly. GM Barry Trotz is treating him like he does, so Rutherford, Allvin, and the Canucks kept Quinn and Pat Brisson in the loop the entire time.
All the parties were aware of all the offers on the table. So, despite reports saying the Canucks couldn’t wait until July 1st because his agent was going to get involved, that is not entirely accurate. They had to be a part of the process because the player wanted to be happy wherever he went.
Russo: Quinn knew the packages and what was offered (by other teams)
— Taj (@taj1944) December 16, 2025
While his agent and the player weren’t entirely part of the process, they knew the destinations. Obviously, everyone is getting on the New Jersey Devils case for not having the cap space to get the deal done. And despite their offer of Dawson Mercer, Anton Silayev, and Simon Nemec, that still doesn’t get it done for Vancouver.
However, everyone knew he was leaving, but the process was just sped up once the memo went out to the other 31 teams. The Canucks now look to the future. More trades are on the way out of Vancouver as the rebuild is on.
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