NHL: Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks - Source: Imagn — Canucks can ill afford to lose but Quinn Hughes, but how realistic is a trade to bring Hughes brothers from NJ Devils? - Source: Imagn

Canucks can ill afford to lose Quinn Hughes, but how realistic is a trade to bring his brothers to Vancouver?

Modified Apr 23, 2025 02:49 GMT

The Vancouver Canucks are staring at the prospect of captain Quinn Hughes hitting the free-agent market in 2027. It’s crucial for the team to sign Hughes to an extension as they can ill afford to lose him.

During a press conference on Monday, Canucks President Jim Rutherford said he wanted to keep Hughes in Vancouver.

“The one thing that we will be sure of, we will have enough cap space to offer him the kind of contract that he deserves.”

However, there may be a demand that the Canucks are unable to meet. The Vancouver captain has expressed his desire to play with his brothers Luke and Jack, who belong to the New Jersey Devils.

To this point, Rutherford said:

“It may not boil down to money with him. He has said before he wants to play with his brothers. That would be partly out of our control. In our control if we brought his brothers here.”

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Rutherford made it sound simple. But it’s much more complex than that.

Jack Hughes is an integral part of the Devils’ top-six forward group, although he’s out with a shoulder injury at the moment. As for Luke Hughes, he’s an up-and-coming blue liner who projects to be a major part of the Devils’ long-term plans.

So, that situation means reuniting the Hughes brothers in Vancouver just isn’t realistic. The Canucks don’t have the pieces or draft capital to pull off a trade. Moreover, Luke will be an RFA this summer, with Jack signed until 2030. That is why free agency just isn’t an option for the Canucks.

Devils would have easier time luring Quinn Hughes to New Jersey

Quinn Hughes could be tempted to sign with New Jersey to play with his brothers - Source: Imagn

If playing with his brothers is high on Quinn Hughes’ wish list, it would be much easier for the Devils to lure him to New Jersey in 2027 than it would be for Vancouver to acquire both of his brothers.

The Devils could realistically clear up enough cap space to make a deal work. Moreover, unlike the Canucks, the Devils would only have to wait two more seasons to sign the older Hughes.

That timing fits in well as the Devils will shed Dougie Hamilton’s $9 million cap hit in 2028. So, any potential cap crunch the Devils might face would only last for one season. The Devils will also shed Brendan Dillon’s $4 million cap hit while likely keeping other blue liners on relatively cheap contracts.

The likeliest scenario is that Quinn Hughes stays put in Vancouver. It’s hard to fathom him leaving the organization where he’s excelled so much. But if the Canucks can’t seem to right the ship, their captain could be tempted to test the free-agent market.

Fans can be sure the Devils will be there, waiting to pounce on an opportunity.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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