NHL Rumors: 1 Team Out of Quinn Hughes Sweepstakes
According to James Murphy of RG.org, team sources say Boston does not view itself as a realistic fit for a Hughes blockbuster and is instead locked in on adding scoring help up front.
With Charlie McAvoy already anchoring the blue line and limited assets to spend, the Bruins see a top end forward as a far bigger priority than paying the steep price required to land another elite defenseman.
Bruins Prioritize Scoring Help Over Hughes Splash
The Boston Bruins know they already have a true number one defenseman in Charlie McAvoy, who posted 14 assists in 19 games before a facial fracture knocked him out of the lineup. He remains a long term pillar on his eight year, 76 million dollar contract, supported by a solid group that includes Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov and rising youngster Mason Lohrei.
Given that foundation, team sources told RG that Boston does not plan to chase Hughes and does not believe they have the asset base to win that type of bidding war anyway.
The Canucks are seeking a young, top-end center in return for Quinn Hughes...
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 11, 2025
Problem for the Flyers is that they're also seeking one of those 👀, per @frank_seravalli pic.twitter.com/AnYRsa3T2p
The front office has been “looking hard for a scoring forward” and that remains the focus, especially with so much of the offensive burden falling on David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie.
Quinn Hughes, meanwhile, is driving one of the biggest trade sagas the league has seen in years. The 2024 Norris Trophy winner is in the fifth year of a six year deal at a 7.8 million dollar cap hit and has two goals and 20 assists through 25 games this season.
Quinn Hughes speaks on recent rumblings about trade rumours between the Canucks and Devils that would potentially unite him with his brothers in NJ. 👀
— BarDown (@BarDown) December 7, 2025
(via @canucks) pic.twitter.com/tBBGTvHmCB
Contenders know that adding him instantly changes their ceiling, and the Vancouver Canucks are expected to demand a center, a replacement defenseman and multiple futures in any deal.
That price makes sense for teams like the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils who have both cap flexibility and deep prospect pools, but for Boston it would mean stripping away too much from a roster that still needs offensive help to contend.
Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
