Insider Reveals Huge Intel on Canucks’ Potential Plans for Quinn Hughes
The Quinn Hughes dilemma in Vancouver has taken another significant turn, based on the latest intel brought to us from Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal.
I do believe that they internally do think that it's better to move him this year if - capital letters 'IF' - he doesn't wanna commit to the franchise long term.
To be clear, the Canucks don't have to do anything right now, as the Norris Trophy-winning defenseman (2024) has another year after this one to run on his six-year deal at a $7.85 million cap hit. They could kick this down the road to when he's actually eligible for an extension as of July 1, 2026.
Why the Canucks are mulling trading Quinn Hughes this year
But there's no doubt that a trade this season, giving a receiving team two playoff runs with him before pending unrestricted free agency, would draw a much bigger haul in return. And make no mistake, the Canucks would demand a massive return, either way.
Somehow, they need to gauge from their superstar d-man whether or not he's open to re-signing with them long-term. But whether he'd be willing to make that determination at this point, with the team having an extremely disappointing start to the season, is doubtful.
This all first came to the fore when president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford made an unexpected candid remark after the end of last season, saying that he knows that Hughes would one day like to play with his two brothers in the league, Luke and Jack, both of whom are with the New Jersey Devils. Speculation immediately began to ramp up.
Quinn Hughes has no trade protection
But Dhaliwal added that the Devils are not necessarily the slam-dunk frontrunner in these sweepstakes this season, if they were to ensue.
Incredibly, Quinn Hughes does not have any trade protection whatsoever in his contract (a rarity these days for such an accomplished player), so the ball is really in the Canucks' court. And the insider speculates (correctly) that pretty much every contending team would put their best offers forward to try to have Hughes for two playoff runs.
Dhaliwhal also mentioned that he could see some younger teams on the rise—think the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks—who have plenty of prime young assets to send the Canucks, as clubs that would love to get Hughes into their program for two years, giving them a chance to really sell him on extending with them.
Vancouver is currently in 7th place in the Pacific Division, at 9-11-2. Hughes has 19 assists and 20 points in 17 games this season.
Photo: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images
