It's been a long time Quinn Hughes trading saga, but on Friday the long-awaited move finally became a reality.
Hughes did his thing Minnesota Wild debut Sunday, just two days after being acquired from Vancouver.
After recording his first goal in the team's 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins, Hughes spoke with reporters for the first time since the trade and reflected on his time with the Canucks and the excitement of starting the next chapter in his hockey career.
“This team is impressive,” Hughes said after the game. “When I get here and feel more comfortable, it will be interesting.”
Even though it was only his first game with his new team, Hughes said he already felt the love from all the fans in attendance for his Wild debut.
“It was something special,” he said. “I didn't expect this. I know Minnesota is a hockey market, but it was exciting.”
Hughes had high praise for his new teammates, including Kirill Kaprizovand said he was excited to continue building relationships with his Blue Line partner. Brock Faber.
However, it was not the players who first caught his attention, but general manager Bill Guerin.
“I really appreciate that he sold the assets he made to get me. Some teams stay in the game until they know what they have to trade to get me, but Billy went all in.
“Obviously I want to do the best I can here and do right by him.”
Hughes mentioned that time spent with the Wild general manager during the 4 Nations game in February really influenced his decision to come to Minnesota.
Hughes is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. He is eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1 and is “extremely open-minded” about his long-term stay with the Wild.
“They have an amazing core. Obviously I've only been here for four hours, but I'm getting to know some of the guys and how energetic and positive they are. And then Minnesota, which is so close to Michigan, and just the state of hockey and the passion here.”
“… It means a lot to me.”
The 26-year-old spent the first seven years of his NHL career with the Canucks after being drafted seventh overall by the University of Michigan. During that time, it made the playoffs just twice, including once under Jim Rutherford, the current president of Vancouver hockey operations.
However, Hughes stressed that the process was handled correctly.
“I have the utmost respect for Jim Rutherford, as well as (team owner) Francesco Aquilini and the Aquilini family,” he said when asked about his involvement in the deal. “They were first class with everything that was going on and obviously it was a tough situation but it felt like the time was right and I think Jim did too.
“… (Jim) wanted me to go where he thought I would be happy.”
Vancouver's blockbuster comeback included forwards Marco Rossi And Liam Ogrendefender Ze'ev Buyum and the Wild's first-round pick in the 2026 draft. All three players made their Canucks debuts Sunday against New Jersey, with Buium shining with a goal and an assist in Vancouver's 2-1 win.
Bouium's new teammate – and former teammate of Hughes – Conor Garland has spoken about newly acquired Bouium's impressive debut.
“He’s really good on the power play,” Garland said. “His work is some of the best, so he will be a really good addition in the future.”
When Sportsnet's Dan Murphy asked Garland what losing Hughes meant to him, he responded briefly, saying, “He's one of the best guys, but as a group we have to move on.”
After the game, Canucks coach Adam Foote also reflected on the loss of Hughes in the locker room: speaking it's a completely different feeling.
“It’s just a completely different feeling,” he said. “Finally all the noise has died down. It's hard for Huggies, it's hard for the players when it becomes public, and it's hard to keep it all behind closed doors.”
“We'll miss Huggy, but as far as your team is concerned, it was a distraction and you feel it.”
