5 New Jersey Devils Who Could Be Traded for Canucks' Quinn Hughes

The New Jersey Devils and Vancouver Canucks are discussing a Quinn Hughes trade, as it's become quite obvious, it's only a matter of time before a deal is done.

This all started back in the summer after last season, when Hughes made it clear to management he's not necessarily chomping at the bit to sign an extension in Vancouver, and has interest in playing with both of his brothers in New Jersey. The only thing many didn't expect, was for Jim Rutherford to announce it to the world.

Now, talks have amped up, Hughes' body language has changed tremendously in Vancouver, and trade talks appear to be ongoing, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

While the Canucks are certainly listening to offers from a number of teams at the moment, here's five Devils who could be involved if/when this deal goes down:

Dawson Mercer: Mercer will likely be Vancouver's top target from the Devils, as he's versatile to fill in down the middle, and at 24 years old, signed at a reasonable AAV at $4 million, and team control being a restricted free agent in 2027, he makes a ton of sense as priority #1.

Simon Nemec: The former first-round pick is coming into his own for the Devils this season. He's a pillar on the back end and has number-one defenceman potential. Nemec is just 21 years old, and is a pending restricted free agent who is wrapping up his entry-level contract this season. Nemec has recorded 15 points in 29 games this season, and surely will be someone the Canucks ask for.

2026 First-Rounder: No doubt at least one first-round pick is heading to Vancouver in this deal.

Seamus Casey: Another right-handed young defenceman, Casey is a bit undersized but makes up for it with his mobility. Seven points in 13 AHL games this season, it's only a matter of time before Casey is running an NHL power play.

Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the Devils and Canucks have had a conversation about Quinn Hughes.

🎥: Sportsnet | #Canucks pic.twitter.com/6A4tcosW6b
— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) December 7, 2025

Nico Daws: The Canucks could use some more goaltending depth, and with Jake Allen and Jakob Markstrom signed, Daws is stuck behind two veterans. The 24-year-old former third-rounder has posted a 23-23-1 record in 53 NHL games, along with a 2.98 GAA.

🎙️| Quinn Hughes on the #NJDevils HNIC trade rumours as well as the Canucks rumours in general

“It wasn’t like, if there was a call, me, Jim and Fitzy hopped on the call. You know, I wasn’t apart of that but obviously I’m aware things like that could happen, for sure.” pic.twitter.com/vTSX1hKW9o
— Hughes Updates (@_hughesupdates) December 7, 2025