Traded MN Wild Star Goes Off in Debut

The Minnesota Wild have looked like a team ready to break out at times this season. Jesper Wallstedt has been unreal in net, with Filip Gustavsson holding his own as well. John Hynes has worked to keep the momentum building, and things became a whole lot more exciting this week.

On Friday, general manager Bill Guerin woke up and shocked the hockey world. Using the equivalent of four first-round picks, Quinn Hughes changed sweaters. Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, and Marco Rossi were also part of the blockbuster deal.

While Hughes has yet to step onto the ice at Grand Casino Arena, the newly acquired Canucks made their first appearances Sunday afternoon.

Zeev Buium Makes Immediate Impact for Vancouver Canucks

After being traded by the Minnesota Wild, Zeev Buium needed time to link up Vancouver in New Jersey. Rather than heading west, the rookie joined the team on its road trip. He wasted no time making an impact, scoring a goal and assisting on the other in a 2-1 win.

First Canucks game.
First Canucks goal.

Welcome to Vancouver, Zeev Buium! 👏 pic.twitter.com/ylY4mTTQ5L

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 14, 2025

Those two made for an impressive first impression and earned Buium a place in the record books. He became the first defenseman in franchise history to record multiple points in the first period of his Canucks debut.

Buium made his Minnesota Wild debut last season during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. During his rookie campaign this year, he appeared in 31 games, tallying three goals and 11 assists while averaging nearly 18 1/2 minutes of ice time per game.

In his Canucks debut, Buium logged 19:50 of ice time, finished even on the plus-minus, and added a blocked shot.

Beyond Buium, former Wild players Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren also made their Vancouver debuts. Rossi recorded a shot on goal and blocked three in 18:16 of ice time. Ohgran finished minus-one with a shot and a blocked shot in 11:39.

It’s possible the former Wild talent works out well for Vancouver, and Buium almost certainly will. Still, Hughes remains one of the best players in the sport and brings playoff experience, with a chance to build on his 30 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.