NHL Trade Grades: Evaluating Recent Moves and Their Impact

The NHL trade season has gained momentum with significant trades involving Quinn Hughes and Tristan Jarry. According to ESPN, Quinn Hughes was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Minnesota Wild for defenseman Zeev Buium, forward Marco Rossi, forward Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 first-round pick.

This move has garnered an A- grade for the Wild, as Hughes is a Norris Trophy winner who can significantly contribute to their offensive struggles, given his impressive assist totals in recent seasons.

The Canucks, meanwhile, received an A grade; this trade signals a shift towards rebuilding, allowing them to acquire young talent and future draft capital. With Hughes' contract situation looming, the Canucks are betting on a fruitful rebuild, especially as they hold two first-round picks in the upcoming draft.

In another major trade, Tristan Jarry was sent from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round pick. ESPN graded the Penguins' return as a B+, given their acquisition of Kulak and the potential for Sergei Murashov to emerge as a future goaltender.

The Oilers received a B grade for Jarry, a two-time All-Star, aiming to solidify their goaltending as they push for a Stanley Cup amidst their championship window, having reached the finals in consecutive seasons.