Following a blockbuster trade that sent him to the Minnesota Wild, defenseman Quinn Hughes has made waves with some candid comments about his former team, the Vancouver Canucks. Hughes, now a month into his tenure with the Wild, didn't mince words when addressing the differences between his new team and the Canucks.
"This is just a better team," Hughes stated bluntly when speaking to the media ahead of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He acknowledged his affection for his former teammates, emphasizing their desire to succeed, but also pointed to the struggles the Canucks have faced. "Watching Vancouver, I love a lot of those guys, and it's competitive guys over there who want to do well. It's tough sometimes, and I'm sure it's not where they want to be and where I wanted it to be when I was there,” Hughes said.
The trade that brought Hughes to Minnesota saw Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, Marco Rossi, and a 2026 first-round pick head to Vancouver. While the Canucks hoped to bolster their roster with promising talent, they have struggled to find consistency. In fact, since the beginning of 2026, the Canucks have only managed one win in their last thirteen games, a shootout victory over the Seattle Kraken. Their last regulation win dates back to December 19th against the New York Islanders.
Hughes, on the other hand, appears to be thriving in his new environment. He has been highly productive, averaging over a point per game with 18 points in his first 17 games with the Wild. His season totals now stand at 41 points in 43 games. He also expressed his satisfaction with his increased opportunities, stating, "I feel like I've been getting more grade A chances than I've ever gotten in my life. I feel like I can pretty much walk out of every game with a goal".
The Canucks' struggles are reflected in their recent performance. They were outscored 11-0 in a pair of recent games, including a 6-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. These results highlight the challenges the team faces as they try to find their footing. The team's statistics also paint a grim picture, with the Canucks ranking near the bottom of the league in goals for per game (2.5, 31st overall) and goals against per game (3.6, 32nd overall). Their power play sits at 19.9% (19th overall), and their penalty kill is at 72.2% (30th overall).
Zeev Buium, a young defenseman acquired in the Hughes trade, acknowledged the difficulties the team has been facing. Despite the losing streak and being a healthy scratch at one point, Buium remains determined. "It gives you a little bit of chip on your shoulder because you never want to miss a game for that; that's frustrating," Buium said.
Hughes' comments underscore the contrasting situations of the two teams. While he is enjoying success with a team contending for a championship, his former team is mired in a difficult stretch, searching for answers and trying to develop its young core. The Canucks' organization has advanced to the Stanley Cup Final three times, but have yet to win.
