Vancouver traded Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild for Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, Zeev Buium and a 2026 first-round pick, with recent results underlining the difference between the pieces and Hughes.
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Vancouver president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said at the time of the trade that it was “difficult trading a player like Quinn,” adding that the organization respected Hughes’ impact and the situation approaching free agency.
The deal sent forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren to the Canucks, along with defenceman Zeev Buium and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
That 2026 first-round pick became No. 24 and was used on Adam Novotny.
Early-season production in Vancouver has been led by Rossi, who has four points through eight games this season with three goals and one assist, after posting 22 points in 33 games last season with the Canucks (eight goals, 14 assists).
Ohgren also has three assists and one goal through eight games this season after recording 18 points in 51 games for Vancouver last season.
Buium has been the most prominent swing piece of the return, and he has not been enough for a larger role so far, with the report saying he has been demoted to the third defensive pairing in Vancouver.
Novotny, selected at No. 24, is playing in the OHL for the Peterborough Petes, after finishing last season with 65 points (34 goals, 31 assists) in 58 games, and starting this season with nine points (four goals, five assists) through eight games.
While the return includes players contributing in the lineup and prospects providing offence at their levels, the report frames the trade as remaining difficult to fully justify because Vancouver gave up Hughes, who has not been matched by any of the acquired pieces.
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