Wild win in Vancouver as Quinn Hughes returns for the first time since blockbuster trade

Sarah McLellan, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Oct 26, 2026

VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Minnesota Wild beat the Vancouver Canucks in Quinn Hughes’ first game back at Rogers Arena since he was traded last season.

Hughes, 27, became a Norris Trophy winner, one of the best defensemen in Canucks history and their captain before he was dealt to the Wild in a Dec. 12 blockbuster that sent Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, Marco Rossi and a first-round draft pick to Vancouver.

Since then, the franchises have been headed in opposite directions: While the Wild are contending for a Stanley Cup, Vancouver is rebuilding and has lost ten games in a row. The Wild are coming off a 5-1 win at Seattle on Saturday night.

After leading 4-0, the Wild allowed Vancouver to score two in the final period. The final score: 4-2.

Kirill Kaprizov scored his 13th goal, leading the NHL.

But the spotlight was on Hughes, who received a chilly reception from Canucks fans amid uncertainty about whether he’ll stay in Minnesota beyond his current contract. The crowd’s response to his 500th career point deep in the second period? More boos.

Hughes still hasn’t signed a new deal with the Wild, but he told media in Seattle “something could happen soon.”

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