That isn't especially surprising, as trade rumors have surrounded the former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman for some time and have dominated the recent conversation around theVancouver Canucksand their captain.
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But the team Hughes is heading to, theMinnesota Wild, is a bit of a shocker.
It's a bold, all-in move for a Minnesota team that's been stuck in the middle for some time. It also has a chance to backfire. As for the Canucks, it's the end of an era – although not a particularly successful one. Could they ultimately come out as the winner of this deal?
We break it all down with some instant trade grades:
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
(Justin Berl, Getty Images)
April 7: Tusky, the Utah Mammoth mascot, rides on the Zammoth (Mammoth Zamboni) on the ice after an overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers at Delta Center.
(Rob Gray, Imagn Images)
April 5: A Toronto Maple Leafs fan attends the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
(Marc DesRosiers, Imagn Images)
April 4: Fans of the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche bang on the glass during the second period of the game between the Stars and Avalanche at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
March 5; Fans in the stands during the first period between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Saddledome.
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi! stands on seats during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre on Jan. 22, 2026.
(Eric Bolte, Imagn Images)
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates during warmup in front of fans' signs welcoming him back to Toronto.
(Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images)
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) poses for a photo with a fan as he comes off the ice after warmups.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
A fan cheers during the third period in the 2026 Winter Classic ice hockey game between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
New York Rangers fans cheer after the 2026 Winter Classic against the Florida Panthers at loanDepot Park.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty and members of the Dance Team perform before game against the Vancouver Canucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
Young Detroit Red Wings fans make as much noise as they can during the third period at Little Caesars Arena.
(Lon Horwedel, Imagn Images)
Carolina Hurricanes and former Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) tosses a puck to a fan in his return to Canada Life Centre.
(James Carey Lauder, Imagn Images)
A young fan watches the action during the third period of the game between the Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose.
(Bob Kupbens, Imagn Images)
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
(Per Haljestam, Imagn Images)
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
(Per Haljestam, Imagn Images)
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
(Matt Blewett, Imagn Images)
Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy celebrates with goalie Joey Daccord (35) after a victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at Climate Pledge Arena.
(Kevin Ng, Imagn Images)
Colorado Avalanche fans cheer in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
A Colorado Avalanche fans holds up a sign for Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images)
A young fan sees her reflection in the arena glass during a game between the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.
(Bob Frid, Imagn Images)
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
(Matt Blewett, Imagn Images)
A San Jose Sharks fan dresses in costume for Halloween during a game against the New Jersey Devils at SAP Center.
(David Gonzales, Imagn Images)
Tusky, the new Utah Mammoth mascot, is introduced to the fans before the game against the Calgary Flames at Delta Center.
(Rob Gray, Imagn Images)
A San Jose Sharks fan reacts after her team scores during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes.
(Stan Szeto, Imagn Images)
A Boston Bruins fan cheers for the team during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.
(Eric Canha, Imagn Images)
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty performs before a game against the Florida Panthers
(Eric Hartline/Imagn Images)
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
(Russell LaBounty, Imagn Images)
Fans reach for a puck flipped over the glass by Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson (94) during warmup before a game against the St. Louis Blues.
(Bob Frid, Imagn Images)
Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston signs autographs for the fans as he walks the green carpet before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning mascot Thunderbug celebrates after beating the Florida Panthers at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) skates past fans holding signs during warmups before the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Fleury suited up for the Penguins one last time during the preseason game.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
1/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
(Justin Berl, Getty Images)
1/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
(Justin Berl, Getty Images)
2/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 7: Tusky, the Utah Mammoth mascot, rides on the Zammoth (Mammoth Zamboni) on the ice after an overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers at Delta Center.
(Rob Gray, Imagn Images)
3/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 5: A Toronto Maple Leafs fan attends the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
(Marc DesRosiers, Imagn Images)
4/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 4: Fans of the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche bang on the glass during the second period of the game between the Stars and Avalanche at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
5/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
March 5; Fans in the stands during the first period between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Saddledome.
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
6/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi! stands on seats during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre on Jan. 22, 2026.
(Eric Bolte, Imagn Images)
7/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates during warmup in front of fans' signs welcoming him back to Toronto.
(Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images)
8/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) poses for a photo with a fan as he comes off the ice after warmups.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
9/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A fan cheers during the third period in the 2026 Winter Classic ice hockey game between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
10/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
New York Rangers fans cheer after the 2026 Winter Classic against the Florida Panthers at loanDepot Park.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
11/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty and members of the Dance Team perform before game against the Vancouver Canucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
12/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Young Detroit Red Wings fans make as much noise as they can during the third period at Little Caesars Arena.
(Lon Horwedel, Imagn Images)
13/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Carolina Hurricanes and former Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) tosses a puck to a fan in his return to Canada Life Centre.
(James Carey Lauder, Imagn Images)
14/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A young fan watches the action during the third period of the game between the Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose.
(Bob Kupbens, Imagn Images)
15/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
(Per Haljestam, Imagn Images)
16/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
(Per Haljestam, Imagn Images)
17/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
(Matt Blewett, Imagn Images)
18/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy celebrates with goalie Joey Daccord (35) after a victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at Climate Pledge Arena.
(Kevin Ng, Imagn Images)
19/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Colorado Avalanche fans cheer in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
20/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A Colorado Avalanche fans holds up a sign for Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images)
21/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A young fan sees her reflection in the arena glass during a game between the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.
(Bob Frid, Imagn Images)
22/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
(Matt Blewett, Imagn Images)
23/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A San Jose Sharks fan dresses in costume for Halloween during a game against the New Jersey Devils at SAP Center.
(David Gonzales, Imagn Images)
24/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Tusky, the new Utah Mammoth mascot, is introduced to the fans before the game against the Calgary Flames at Delta Center.
(Rob Gray, Imagn Images)
25/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A San Jose Sharks fan reacts after her team scores during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes.
(Stan Szeto, Imagn Images)
26/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A Boston Bruins fan cheers for the team during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.
(Eric Canha, Imagn Images)
27/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty performs before a game against the Florida Panthers
(Eric Hartline/Imagn Images)
28/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
(Russell LaBounty, Imagn Images)
29/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Fans reach for a puck flipped over the glass by Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson (94) during warmup before a game against the St. Louis Blues.
(Bob Frid, Imagn Images)
30/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
31/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston signs autographs for the fans as he walks the green carpet before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
32/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Tampa Bay Lightning mascot Thunderbug celebrates after beating the Florida Panthers at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
33/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) skates past fans holding signs during warmups before the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Fleury suited up for the Penguins one last time during the preseason game.
Hughes is one of the best defenseman in the NHL and just 26 years old. He's also a free agent after next season.
If Hughes is still playing games for the Wild in the fall of 2027, this deal will be a big win. If he's not, history might not look back on this deal as kindly. That depends, though, on what the Wild do in the playoffs.
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Minnesota has lost nine consecutive playoff series, dating back to 2015. The Wild have only advanced past the second round once in their history, and that was back in 2003.
If Hughes can help Minnesota get over the hump it will all be worth it, even if he walks when his deal expires.
The situation in Vancouver was untenable, and the season had already slipped away, with the Canucks sitting last in the NHL. After trading their best player – who was averaging an astounding 27:26 of ice time per night – the Canucks have assured they will be firmly in the mix for the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
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Vancouver did get some intriguing pieces back in this deal, including a 2026 first-round pick. They also landed centerMarco Rossi(himself a frequent target of trade rumors), rookie defensemanZeev Buiumand wingerLiam Ohgren.
Rossi, the ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft, has 13 points in 17 games this season. Buium, who just turned 20 years old this month, was the 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft and has 14 points in his first 31 career games. Ohgren, the 19th overall pick in 2022, is in his third season but has not recorded any points in 18 games this year.
Buium has a lot of promise, and Rossi is a solid player, but they don't measure up to Hughes. The American, who will likely be a core piece of Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in February, was voted the best defenseman in the NHL in 2023-24 and finished third in the Norris Trophy voting last year.
You never want to get in a position where you have to trade your best player, but the Canucks seem to have at least done better than many expected when it comes to making the best of a bad situation. And if Hughes walks from the Wild in two years (potentially to play with his younger brothers, who are on theNew Jersey Devils) this won't feel quite as bad.
