The Vancouver Canucks sent shockwaves through the NHL on Friday by trading their captain and star defenseman, Quinn Hughes, to the Minnesota Wild. In return, the Canucks received a package including defenseman Zeev Buium, forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Öhgren, and a 2026 first-round pick. While losing a player of Hughes's caliber is a significant blow, the Canucks' return, particularly the acquisition of Buium, is generating considerable discussion about whether Vancouver can ultimately "win" this trade.
The immediate reaction to the trade was mixed, with many lamenting the loss of Hughes, a player considered among the best to ever wear a Canucks jersey. However, a closer look at the return reveals a strategic approach by the Canucks, focusing on acquiring young talent with high potential. While Rossi and Öhgren are valuable additions, it's Buium who is seen as the key to this trade for Vancouver.
Zeev Buium, drafted 12th overall by the Wild in 2024, is a highly touted prospect with a bright future. The 20-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut last season and quickly established himself as a promising player with his skating ability, puck-moving skills, and power-play quarterbacking abilities. Before the season, Buium was already considered an elite prospect. In his Canucks debut, Buium demonstrated flashes of brilliance. He also scored the game-winning goal in the first game after the Hughes trade, a 2-1 victory against the New Jersey Devils.
While it's unrealistic to expect Buium to replicate Hughes's offensive output and dynamic skating, he possesses many of the qualities that made Hughes a star. Like Hughes, Buium is a skilled puck-handler who excels at moving the puck up the ice and creating offensive opportunities. He is also a strong skater, though not quite at Hughes's elite level. Buium's hockey IQ and playmaking abilities are considered his strengths, making him a potential top-pairing defenseman and power-play quarterback for the Canucks.
Beyond Buium, the Canucks also acquired Marco Rossi, a skilled center who can potentially fill the team's need for a second-line center. Rossi, a former first-round pick, has already demonstrated his offensive capabilities in the NHL, scoring 60 points in the previous season. Liam Öhgren, another former first-round pick, adds further depth to the Canucks' forward ranks. The Canucks also obtained a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, providing them with another valuable asset for the future.
The Canucks' management believes that this trade signals the team's commitment to a rebuild, acquiring young players who can develop into core contributors for years to come. The success of this trade hinges on Buium's development. If he reaches his potential, the Canucks will have acquired a cornerstone defenseman who can help lead the team back to contention. If Buium doesn't pan out, the trade will be viewed as a missed opportunity.
In the short term, the Canucks will undoubtedly miss Hughes's presence on the ice and in the locker room. However, in the long term, the acquisition of Buium and other assets could prove to be a shrewd move that sets the Canucks up for future success. Only time will tell whether the Canucks ultimately "won" the Hughes trade, but the arrival of Zeev Buium gives Vancouver fans reason for optimism.
