The Minnesota Wild made the biggest splash of the 2025-26 season. Back in December, they were able to acquire star defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for three young players and their 2026 first-round pick. The Canucks headed the wrong direction quickly, and opted to trade Hughes, who was set to be a free agent after the 2026-27 season. Before this season, Hughes wanted to get a clearer idea about Vancouver's direction. With the Canucks plummeting to last place, they began trade conversations for Hughes.
Considering the Canucks plummeted to last place in the entire NHL, they had the best odds to win the 2026 NHL Draft lottery, which would have given them the chance to select Penn State's Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick.
On Tuesday night, the Canucks hosted a draft lottery party for fans for the chance to watch the team win the first overall pick. The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery aired an hour before the start of Game 2 between the Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche. As TSN's Farhan Lalji pointed out that when Hughes was shown during the ESPN broadcast, the fans at the parties booed him. Loudly.
Very loud boos at #Canucks draft party when Quinn Hughes arrival video is shown
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) May 5, 2026
Unfortunately for Canucks fans, they had more reason to boo on Tuesday night.
Canucks fans boo Quinn Hughes ahead of Wild Game 2, then boo after losing NHL Draft Lottery
The Canucks, despite having the best odds, didn't land the first overall pick. Not only that, but they didn't receive the second overall pick either. The Toronto Maple Leafs, who had the fifth-best odds of winning, did so. The San Jose Sharks, meanwhile, who just missed out on a playoff spot by four points, secured the second overall pick. The Canucks ended up with the third overall selection.
Wild fans, if you wanted to see Canucks fans look miserable as they watched the No. 1 pick go to the Maple Leafs of all teams, Lalji provided a video.
Disappointment for #Canucks fans. Not only to miss on #1 but to see the #Leafs take it🫣 pic.twitter.com/g3VWjHxB9m
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) May 5, 2026
It is still to early, but the Wild do look like the winners of the trade. Sure, they still have to sign him to a contract extension, but Hughes has been the star they were hoping on acquiring, as he helped not only help turn the Wild into legitimate contenders, but also played a major role in the team defeating the Dallas Stars in six games in their first-round series.
As for the Canucks, they are in the midst of a rebuild. It will be up to their next general manager to take those next steps. Plus, it's still too early to tell how the likes of Liam Ohgren and Zeev Buium develop over time in Vancouver, who both arrived in the Hughes trade. The No. 1 pick would have helped them take their next step of the rebuild, but they will now settle for the No. 3 pick.
Talk about a roller coaster of emotions. Canucks fans booed Hughes, and were left stunned after losing out on the No. 1 pick.
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