Canucks GM: Hughes trade not because of a culture problem

Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin doesn't feel his team has a culture problem despite trading Quinn Hughes on Friday, in addition to J.T. Miller earlier in the calendar year.

"I don't believe (we have a culture problem)," Allvin told reporters Friday. "I don't think that's the reason why Quinn Hughes is traded here today. I have a lot of respect for J.T. Miller as well, what he went through on his personal side. We're very excited with the leadership group and what (head coach) Adam (Foote) is building here, the players we got in through the draft over the last couple of years, and how they integrated with our team here."

Hughes' move to the Minnesota Wild is the latest massive change for the Canucks. Miller and fellow star forward Elias Pettersson had a rift that resulted in the former being dealt to the New York Rangers in January.

Additionally, Rick Tocchet opted to leave his role as head coach in April to join the Philadelphia Flyers.

Allvin explained that trading Hughes stemmed from the captain informing the team he didn't plan to stay long-term.

"You probably go back even a year ago, when this started to come to our attention that this might be the path that Quinn wants to go," Allvin said. "We were hoping, the ownership was trying to do everything, and we were trying to do everything to convince him to stay and work through it. But we felt that when we were not able to do it, that's where we started the process of looking to see what potential destinations would be out there and what potential teams that could come up with the best return for the Vancouver Canucks moving forward."

Allvin said the Canucks are "kind of retooling, rebuilding" in wake of trading Hughes.

The deal with the Wild landed Vancouver forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, defenseman Zeev Buium, and a 2026 first-round pick.

"Obviously, a deal like this doesn't come through on just one day. It's been going on for a couple weeks here, where we've felt this is unfortunately where we're heading with Quinn, and trying to get that to maximize the return for Quinn Hughes."

Allvin called Friday a "tough, tough, tough day" for the franchise, but noted his excitement about the young players coming in return for Hughes.

The Canucks begin the post-Quinn Hughes era Sunday against the New Jersey Devils.