Wild's Quinn Hughes embraces return to Vancouver to face Canucks

Quinn Hughes will make his much-anticipated return to Vancouver on Sunday night when the Minnesota Wild face the Canucks.

Hughes, the seventh overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft, played 459 career games with the Canucks. He was named team captain at the start of the 2023-24 season and went on to win the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman.

Hughes was traded to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2025, for center Marco Rossi, left winger Liam Ohgren, defenseman Zeev Buium and a 2026 first-round draft pick. He made an instant impact for the Wild, helping lead them to 104 points and a first-round playoff victory over the Dallas Stars. He also played a key role in leading the United States to a gold medal in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Now the question is this: What kind of reception will Hughes get in his return to Vancouver? His Olympic teammate, Brady Tkachuk, was loudly booed on Wednesday in his return to Ottawa after requesting and receiving a trade to Florida where he could play with his brother, Matthew.

"However I'm received won't affect how I feel about Vancouver tomorrow, the next day, or five years down the line," Hughes told reporters prior to the Wild's 5-1 victory at the Seattle Kraken on Saturday. "Like, I just feel gratitude, and one night ... won't affect 6 1/2 years of how I enjoyed that place.

"I was really lucky to start my career there, and just being in a Canadian market was a really special thing for me. I'm grateful for the opportunity and 6 1/2 years there."

Vancouver, last in the Pacific Division with an NHL-low five points, brings a nine-game losing streak (0-8-1) into the contest. The Canucks last won a game on Oct. 3 against Calgary, 4-1.

First-year Vancouver head coach Manny Malhotra is hoping the return of Hughes will bring some energy to the building on Sunday.

"We obviously need to give them something to cheer about, and we've seen it firsthand," Malhotra said. "When the fans are into the game, and when we get them on our side early, that can be a major advantage for us."

Canucks forward Brock Boeser said he believes his old teammate should receive a positive response when he takes the ice for the Wild.

"Personally, I think he should get a good welcome back," Boeser said. "I mean, he gave it his all, and just because he wants to try and play somewhere else, I feel you shouldn't hold it over his head. He gave it his all every time he was in a Canucks uniform, and that means a lot."

Hughes has two goals and 12 assists in 12 games this season. He picked up an assist 26 seconds into Saturday's game on Kirill Kaprizov's 12th goal.

Blake Coleman scored two goals and Jesper Wallstedt made 23 saves to lead the Wild, who snapped a two-game losing streak.

"I thought the last few games could've gone our way too, but they didn't," Wallstedt said. "Strong on us to not change anything and just keep on going."

The win improved Minnesota to 1-1-1 on its five-game road trip, which finishes up on Tuesday at Utah.

--Field Level Media