It is the worst-kept secret in the NHL that Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes wants to play with his brother, Jack Hughes, and Luke Hughes one day in the NHL. That was brought up by Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford last spring. However, that has been a significant talking point this past offseason and into the start of the season.
Devils Rumors: New Jersey Looking To Make a Big Splash
Devils forward Jack Hughes added fuel to the fire when he stated during the North American Player Tour that he would like to play with his brother one day. Now, whether that is with the New Jersey Devils or another team remains to be seen. Whether this can be sooner rather than later remains to be seen. Again, Jack Hughes stated one day he would like to play with his brothers on the same team.
However, the noise about Quinn Hughes and the New Jersey Devils isn’t going away. During the Saturday Headlines Segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported the Devils and Canucks had a conversation about the Canucks defenseman, but nothing is imminent.
But once Vancouver announced that they were open for business, sent that email around to the league, I do believe there was a conversation, at least one, between the Devils and the Canucks about Quinn Hughes. And I stress, I do not believe there is anything imminent. I don’t even know that they’re anywhere far along, but I do believe that conversation was had about where things stand and where they might be going now.
However, soon after the game between the Canucks and Edmonton Oilers, Quinn Hughes was asked about those rumours and didn’t pour cold water on them, but he knows there is talk about it.
“I mean, no, I mean, I’m doing what I can. Like you said I’m on the ice. It wasn’t like if there was a call me, Jim and Fitzy opt on up on the calling. I wasn’t a part of that,” Hughes told reporters. “But obviously, I’m aware that you know things like that could happen.”
The problem for the Canucks and Devils is: how are they going to make a deal work? The Devils don’t have the cap space to make this work. So they would have to move out more than one player from their core, as Friedman noted.
Also, it should be mentioned that with the Devils, because of their injury and cap situation, they’re dollar in, dollar out. So if they’re bringing in somebody, they’re going to have to remove people. And I think that’s why there’s so much time around the Devils.
Again, this is the biggest issue as DevilsNation.com has documented when it comes to upgrading any position, not just adding Quinn Hughes. Who are the New Jersey Devils moving? Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Ondrej Palat each have a 10-team no-trade clause. Palat has a no-move clause, too, as he can’t be placed on waivers. Evgenii Dadonov has a full no-trade clause through March 1st, then a 10-team no-trade.
Everyone Needs To Pump The Brakes on Quinn Hughes to the Devils Talk
So, for many who think this is an easy fix, Devils President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald put himself in a bind when it comes to making moves. Similar to the Canucks, who also have many contracts they can’t move.
🚨NHL Thought of the Day 🚨
The Devils and Canucks had a Conversation about defenseman Quinn Hughes.
But if Canucks Trade Hughes, what about the guys on long-term deals, and can the Devils make it work
Lots of questions #canucks #njdevils https://t.co/rfah3sh0Ck pic.twitter.com/0ntNptkbfv
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) December 7, 2025
And what does a Quinn Hughes deal look like? Well, for starters, it begins with Simon Nemec, Dawson Mercer, and a 1st round pick. Is a player like Seamus Casey also involved, or Anyton Silayev? The Canucks want rostered players and also like a center as part of the deal.
This fits the criteria, but it is not enough to help the Devils financially. Do the Canucks want to retain? If they do, how much do they want to retain? There are still many moving parts. Not to mention the part about Quinn Hughes controlling his own destiny.
Devils Rumors: Will New Jersey Trade For Quinn Hughes Next Summer?
There is time to make this deal because nothing will happen right now. It may not occur until the summer. Remember, Quinn Hughes stated you will find out his answer by July 1st. Not to mention Quinn Hughes is focused on this season.
He isn’t eligible to sign an extension with the Canucks, Devils, or any other team he might be traded to until July 1st, 2026. The fact that he mentioned Tom Fitzgerald by the name ‘Fitzy’ is interesting. But similar to the Mikko Rantanen deal from Carolina to the Dallas Stars, there would need to be a guarantee from any team that an extension is coming for an agreement to work.
But the noise surrounding Quinn Hughes, the New Jersey Devils and the Vancouver Canucks isn’t going away.
