The New Jersey Devils have fallen in five games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs after a 5-4 defeat in double overtime on Tuesday night in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was less than ideal circumstances as the Devils not only were playing undermanned, but had rumors swirling throughout the playoff series about Quinn Hughes reuniting with his brothers reuniting to play together in the future.
It seems like it is almost inevitable now that Quinn Hughes will play with his brothers, Jack and Luke, somewhere. Whether it is in New Jersey or Vancouver remains to be seen. Though it is most likely with the Devils. It is clear from the comments by President Jim Rutherford that he even knows the Canucks captain’s days could be numbered.
Could Quinn Hughes Actually Come to New Jersey and Play with His Brothers?
Rutherford spoke about the Hughes brothers wanting to play together at the Canucks year end press conference. Something most figured was going to happen, but figured was just a pipe dream. However, as Laurence Gilman (a former assistant GM in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Phoenix Coyotes) told the Sekers and Price Show, there was more behind those off-the-cuff comments by Rutherford about Quinn Hughes wanting to play with his brothers.
“Jim Rutherford, this is not his first rodeo. He’s obviously a very veteran General Manager, and veteran general managers don’t say things off the cuff.
My initial thought in hearing that and seeing that was that they’ve been put on notice by the Hughes camp. Whether it’s by the player or whether it’s by his agent, Pat Brisson, that if they don’t turn the fortunes of this hockey club around within two, within two year period when Quinn’s contract expires, that he is going to seek to play with his brothers.
And, if you look at it, they have a year to sort this out. Because if they go into the last year of that deal, and this guy’s not done, and he’s told them, this is where I’m headed, they’re, they’re, they’re in the same boat that the Calgary Flames were in with Matthew Tkachuk a few years ago.
So, thought it was incredibly interesting. I would not be altogether shocked if they get a phone call from the New Jersey Devils, basically saying, So what’s it going to take? And, if you’re talking to the Devils, they’re a team that has a plethora of good young players and prospects.
There could be the makings of a deal there. Not that, I’m not that. I think it’s going to happen anytime soon, but they’re a team that does have the assets to make a trade like that.”
Everyone Needs To Pump The Brakes on Quinn Hughes to the Devils Talk
It is going to be tough for the Canucks to acquire Luke and Jack Hughes from the Devils. Current President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald is not going to mortgage winning now to rebuild down the middle and on defense, knowing he has a number one or two center and a franchise number one defenseman in Luke Hughes. He would have set his team back further after just getting back to the playoffs.
When you look at the deal proposed by Scott Maxwell of Daily Faceoff last week of what a potential trade offer could look like if the Canucks were to try and acquire Jack and Luke Hughes.
- Vancouver acquires: Jack Hughes & Luke Hughes
- New Jersey acquires: Elias Pettersson (22.41%/$2.6 million retained), Thatcher Demko, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Tom Willander, 2025 first-round pick
This deal does not make sense. The Devils are not taking on Thatcher Demko’s contract to be a backup to Jacob Markstrom, with Nico Daws coming up in the system. Elias Pettersson is a good center, and while the Devils did try to acquire him earlier in the year, does he fit the style Sheldon Keefe will play? There are too many unknowns surrounding Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Tom Willander.
Luke Hughes Has Become the New Jersey Devils Number One Defenseman
The Devils need players in return who can help them win now. Not futures or prospects. Hence, why Quinn Hughes is going to New Jersey makes more sense. The Devils would have to give up a Seamus Casey or a Simon Nemec, for example, along with a Dawson Mercer and a first-round pick. Vancouver will probably ask for more, potentially. But the Canucks would have to replace a franchise defenseman unlike the Devils who would have to replace a franchise center and a franchise defenseman.
The rumors are going to continue surrounding the New Jersey Devils since it has been known that Quinn Hughes wants to play with his brothers. How that happens before 2027 is anyone’s guess. Remember, Hughes can’t negotiate a new deal until July 1, 2026. He is going to get a significant raise. Does it make sense now, or wait a year to try to make this move happen?
Stay tuned for more as the Devils and Canucks continued to be linked at the hip until the saga is over.
