It’s tough to assign a trade grade hours after it happens. But with the Quinn Hughes trade, the Vancouver Canucks aced the grade.
The Canucks got the return that insiders and pundits had been talking about for weeks. Vancouver wanted a young, top-six center, a blueliner to replace Hughes, and a first-round pick. Check, check, check.
Vancouver actually got four pieces. That’s a considerable haul when looking at the caliber of said pieces.
Let’s start with Marco Rossi. Rossi had been the Minnesota Wild’s top-line center. He had a breakthrough season last year, scoring 24 goals and 60 points. This season, he’s dealt with injuries. But he’s still produced 13 points in 17 games.
But there’s more to Rossi than just production. The Canucks were reportedly interested in acquiring Rossi during his contract standoff with the Wild. Vancouver got its man, and now he’ll be the top-line center.
Then, there’s Zeev Buium. The 12th-overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft had solidified his presence on the Wild’s blueline. Tus far, the 20-year-old has three goals and 14 points in 31 games. He’s looking like a legit top-pairing blueliner despite playing somewhat sheltered minutes this season.
With Rossi and Buium, the Canucks got two major pieces. The third piece, Liam Ohgren, is somewhat of a mystery. He was the 19th-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. He hasn’t had much success so far. But that’s no indictment on Ohgren’s abilities. If anything, it could just be the Wild’s inability to develop Ohgren’s skills.
In Vancouver, he’ll likely get a shot in the middle six. Ohgren should find himself in a position where he’ll have plenty of leeway to grow into a bona fide NHL forward.
Canucks Get 2026 First-Round Pick
With Rossi, Buium, and Ohgren, the Canucks got three first-round picks. That’s certainly a good start. But the biggest question mark of all has to be the 2026 first-round pick. Considering the Wild’s season thus far, the pick would be a high one.
But like all picks, it’s a toss-up. The Canucks could end up getting a fantastic player regardless of where the pick lands. Alternatively, Vancouver could flip that pick as part of another deal. That additional first-round pick is something the Canucks can weaponize.
Judging from history, this pick could be the one that really tilts this trade in the Canucks’ favor.
One Reason Why Hughes Trade Could Be Fleecing for Vancouver
There’s one compelling reason why the Quinn Hughes trade could be a fleecing for the Vancouver Canucks. Hughes is a free agent in the summer of 2027. It’s worth pointing out that Hughes didn’t plan to re-sign in Vancouver. Moreover, the Wild are not getting any assurances that Hughes will re-sign with them.
So, what happens if Hughes goes to market in 2027? What do the Wild get out of this trade? If they win a Stanley Cup, no one will really care. The deal would have been worth it.
But what if the Wild don’t win and Hughes leaves as a result? The deal would have been a colossal failure for the Wild. Moreover, the Canucks would have fleeced Minnesota by keeping three crucial pieces (plus a potential fourth piece).
It’s too early to declare a key winner. But looking at what has unfolded, the Canucks look like the early victors in this blockbuster trade.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Canucks Ace Early Quinn Hughes Trade Grade appeared first on Heavy Sports.