Red Wings & Canucks Linked to Quinn Hughes-Blockbuster

The Vancouver Canucks have become the team to watch on the trade market, as they are 100% in sell mode. While the likes of Kiefer Sherwood and Conor Garland could be dealt, all the attention is on captain Quinn Hughes, and where he's going to land.

Hughes, 26, has one season left at $7.8 million AAV, and without any trade protection, he's on the block for just about every team. Yes, the New Jersey Devils have been linked as Jim Rutherford has awkwardly admitted he knows Hughes wants to play with his brothers, but all the attention is on who is willing to step up and pay a steep price for one of the best defenceman in the game.

Hockey insider David Pagnotta caught up to Jeff Marek on The Sheet, and could see the Detroit Red Wings getting involved, and if so, the Canucks looking at Lucas Raymond coming back the other way.

David Pagnotta: Detroit has a lot of different assets, I think Vancouver...I think they're gonna want immediate star value if they're moving out Quinn Hughes, so I look to a guy like Lucas Raymond as the centerpiece - The Sheet (11/28)

Raymond, 23, is under contract through the 2031-32 season at $8 million AAV, and doesn't own any trade protection, surprisingly, until the 2028 season. Raymond has scored seven times, and added 19 assists, for 26 points in 23 games this season. But, if the Red Wings want to add the absolute perfect defence partner for Mo Seider, they're going to have to give up a huge piece to get Allvin and Rutherford's attention.

The Canucks have made it very clear, if they move Hughes, it won't be for a bunch of unproven prospects, and high draft picks. They want NHL talent they can insert into the lineup immediately, as they look to re-tool on the fly, and get back to being a playoff team.

Keep an eye on the Red Wings, they're going to be big players in the Hughes sweepstakes.

Photo credit:  Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images