Canucks Trade Rumors: Proposed Blockbuster Gets Quinn Hughes to the Devils

Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks defenseman

Many around hockey feel it's inevitable that superstar Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes ultimately lands with the New Jersey Devils. We know he wants to play in the NHL with his brothers Luke & Jack, and he becomes a free agent after next season. So why delay the inevitable?

In this proposed trade from Nick Villano of Pucks & Pitchforks, the Devils would get their hands on the perennial Norris Trophy candidate (2024 winner):

New Jersey Devils receive:

Quinn Hughes, D

Vancouver Canucks receive:

Dawson Mercer, C
Simon Nemec, D
1st Round Pick, 2026

This seems like a hefty price to pay, but how often does a team get a chance to add arguably one of the top two defensemen in hockey? Quinn Hughes would finally be reunited with his brothers, d-man Luke and forward Jack in Jersey.

For the Canucks, as Villano notes, this package is unlikely to be topped. This proposal was floated in the summer, but with both Mercer and Nemec coming off disappointing seasons, it wouldn't have gotten it done back then. Now? Both Mercer (nine goals, 17 points in 23 games) and Nemec (2nd overall selection, 2022 NHL Draft, 14 points in 23 games with a +8 rating) are having strong seasons, teasing their big upsides.

Mercer & Nemec as part of a nice return package in hypothetical Quinn Hughes trade

Mercer was a 27-goal scorer in his second season, three years ago, and looks to be getting back to that potential. Nemec, after spending plenty of time each of the last seasons at Utica in the AHL, is looking like a top-four blueliner at the very least, and has averaged close to 24 minutes a game over his past nine outings. He scored his second OT game-winning goal of the season Wednesday night in the Devils' 3-2 win against the St. Louis Blues.

🚨 Simon Nemec does it in OT again! #NJDevils win 9 of first 10 home games for 1st time in franchise history, go back on top of the East. #stlblues are now 0-7 in OT 😳 pic.twitter.com/DDr4r1KVG0
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) November 27, 2025

We heard last week from insider Rick Dhaliwal that the Canucks would definitely consider trading Hughes this season if it becomes apparent that he will not commit to the franchise long-term. This proposed deal is certainly something for them to chew on.