Canucks Trade Rumors: Quinn Hughes Heads to Devils In Proposed Trade

The writing seems to be on the wall—in fact, Vancouver Canucks team president Jim Rutherford even spoke the quiet part out loud, insinuating the time could come when he will have to trade captain Quinn Hughes. Now insider Larry Brooks of the New York Post has constructed a proposed deal that could make it happen, "sooner rather than later."

Rutherford had first let it slip last month that Hughes "wants to play with his brothers", Jack & Luke, who both reside with the New Jersey Devils. Then, a few days later, Rutherford admitted that if he can't get Quinn signed to a new contract (the captain has two years remaining on his current deal) by the trade deadline of the 2026-27 season, then he'll "have to do something." Translation: a trade.

Brooks doesn't feel that the Devils have any desire at all to trade both Jack & Luke Hughes, so a deal sending Quinn to New Jersey is the only option. Here's what he proposes:

New Jersey Devils receive:

Quinn Hughes

Vancouver Canucks receive:

Their choice of Simon Nemec or Seamus Casey
Their choice of prospects Anton Silayev, D, or Arseni Gritsyuk, F
First-round pick
Dawson Mercer

This is a huge package that would help the Canucks get over the sting of losing their captain and most valuable player. But a lot of things can still take place between now and then. Rutherford has vowed to do everything he can to try to convince Hughes to stay.

Things will really heat up in the summer of 2026, when the oldest Hughes brother can officially sign an extension with the Canucks as of July 1st. If, by the time the leaves begin to fall and the 2026-27 gets underway, there's still no extension, then a trade, such as one like the above, could start to become a reality ahead of that season's trade deadline.