It appears that more teams are smelling blood in the water when it comes to Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes. After already being linked to the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals have now made their interest known.
In the article, Pagnotta said, “We know the usual suspects. We’ll continue to hear more teams, I’m sure, as this progresses, but the latest two that I have are the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals.”
Neither team’s interest comes as a surprise. The Hurricanes have been one of the most consistently good teams in the Eastern Conference over the past few years, making three Eastern Conference Final appearances since the 2019 postseason. Additionally, the Capitals were the top team in the Eastern Conference last season and have again vaulted themselves to the top of the table in recent weeks, winning 10 of their previous 12 games.
Objectively, for all 31 other teams, Hughes improves the roster wholesale. In the case of Carolina and Washington, he fits a long-term hole as well. The two years remaining on Hughes’ contract coincide with Shayne Gostisbehere‘s with the Hurricanes, who is the offensive leader of their defensive core. Additionally, although they have Jakob Chychrun signed through the 2023-33 season, acquiring Hughes would make for a far easier transition out of the John Carlson era in Washington.
Regardless, if the Canucks were not only to entertain the idea of trading a player of Hughes’ caliber but actively seek one, the acquiring team would have to provide the goods. It’s well known that Vancouver is looking for a longer-term solution down the middle, and they would likely want several additional futures as well.
In Carolina, although the Canucks would expectably target Logan Stankoven, the Hurricanes would likely be unwilling to move him since they signed him to an eight-year, $48MM extension this past offseason. Still, Carolina could counter with quantity over quality, much like they did when they acquired Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023-24.
None of the prospects are bona fide top-six forwards (yet), but the Hurricanes could offer a package of Bradly Nadeau, Ivan Ryabkin, and Felix Unger Sörum, along with one or multiple of their four first-round selections over the next three years.
Meanwhile, the Capitals have all three of their first-round picks through the 2028 NHL Draft and have a movable center that could easily shift into the Canucks’ top-six, unlike the trio of hypothetical options from Carolina. Forward Connor McMichael, who is headed for restricted free agency next summer (UFA after 2028-29), could be a headliner in a potential Hughes trade.
After scoring 26 goals for Washington last season, McMichael has only four in 30 games this season. Still, after averaging a 14.1% shooting percentage from 2023 to 2025, there’s reason to believe his current 6.3% rate won’t last. Additionally, since he’s under team control for the next three seasons after this one, the Canucks would have plenty of time to sign him to a long-term extension.
Hughes for Nikishin and firsts.
Svecnikov Nystrom and a first.
Nikishin, Svech and a pick would be a canes thing to do. They’ve been desperate for that franchise player for a long time now
I’d do that. Dumping Svech would be easily filled by a free agent.
Ha! I bet Van is not on Svetch’s trade list! LOL
Canes need a legitimate 2C more than another defenseman.
This chatter is going to go on between now and the trade deadline. I do believe Hughes will be traded but it won’t until near the deadline at the earliest. If it doesn’t happen at the deadline, it will surely happen over the summer.
Wow Stankoven, Nadeau, McMichael would Headline the trade? I’d never make that trade in a million if I’m the Canucks. Damn near hundred point Dman for not even blue chip prospects? It would at minimum have to Be Nikishin, Stankoven, Nadeau and honestly a first should be thrown in there or Vancouver is getting peanuts for one of the best dmen in the world.
This is video game trading. In the real world, dudes on expiring, near-market contracts don’t go for a bucket of top shelf assets.
Vancouver will get a middle-6 center, a solid second-pair D prospect, and a late 1st and like it.
It doesn’t expire for 15 months…
He can’t even sign an extension until July 2026. He’s not an expiring free agent and from what I know he hasn’t stated he won’t sign with VAN and even better wouldn’t sign anywhere but NJ which some people think. He hasn’t stated playoff success somewhere he easily could be convinced to sign especially a monster deal. It’s not video game trading when you’re the 2nd best Dman in the world. That’s like saying a higher end prospect and a first should net McDavid. Now that’s video game trading without team refusals on.
Yes, that is not “term” to an NHL GM. You only get two Cup runs. If he had 3-5 years left, *then* you could talk about OP’s type of return.
The self proclaimed insiders will be coming up with alot of clickbait before this actually happens, And most of it will unverifiable speculation. Don’t drink the koolaid.
The Red Wings can offer the most and the Canucks can have their choice of Cossa or Augustine.
They’ve got Medvedev and Tolopilo already, they’re not hurting for goalie prospects. What they need is a center
I hate to say it but so far neither of those two are projecting to be starting goalies let alone game changers. Wings have Augustine and Cossa both of which look like they very well be starters and possibly star starters. VAN definitely needs a goalie prospect like that.
These guesses would get the phone hung up. And the idea that Stankoven would be untouchable is almost as hilarious that he could be a centre piece to any deal. McMichael is at least a reasonable depth option to a deal, but as the old lady said, “Where’s the beef?”
McMichael at best looks like he could hit 60 points. That’s almost insulting if I’m VAN. Look I’m an oilers fan I don’t particularly like VAN. I’d love to see Hughes gone but the better get some darn good players in return. Also why not build around him he’s only 26. He’s a generational talent and he’ll be at worst 30 when the team starts turning around. That’s of course assuming he wants to stay which he may not.
So we agree then. But all these speculations aren’t even worth the price of tea in China. I’d just note the Canucks & Hughes have the power to drown out most of the noise – no, he can’t sign until July but they could state “there’ll be no trading until Quinn has told us he won’t sign, and he has time to decide that. He’s dedicated to leading the team into the playoff race” end quote. So why doesn’t somebody open up a mouth?
It would be very disadvantageous for the Canucks to go public if Hughes said he would not re sign there for then all other 31 teams have the much bigger advantage. Even if he won’t re-sign it would be wise for the Canucks to dissuade Hughes (or his agent) from making that public for their sakes. To make it look like it’s their choice they hold the power to get the best return possible.
Why? I highly doubt he signs with either team
Hawks, Sharks and Red Wings (in that order) all have the room and the pieces to get Quinn.
But neither of them needs Quinn as a 16-month rental. Because that’s what’s on offer here. In 2027 he’s expected to sign with NJ.
For this reason, his market is limited to cup contenders whose window of contention is wide open this and next year (FLA, EDM, CAR, COL, DAL), and closing fast thereafter. It is these teams that are willing to offer the most in terms of futures. But because some got where they are by trading away their futures, they don’t have a lot to offer. And their firsts are going to be late in the draft. And they will have trouble accommodating Quinn’s cap hit.
Those who have the most futures to offer and have cap space (SJ, CHI) won’t have their windows of contention wide open until after 2027. They don’t need Quinn as a 16-month rental.
And there it is – teams who need what’s on offer can’t make it happen and those that can make it happen don’t need him.
The most realistic option is Carolina.
If, indeed Quinn intends to join NJ in ’27.
He has only stated that he would like to play with his bros. Not that that is his mission in life.
The Staals, the Plagers, the Sutters, the Bouchers, the Carlsons (only in Slap Shot), the Espositos etc etc have said the same thing at some time. Some do some don’t get the chance.
And most importantly to the NJD, the Niedermayers. Some of us have long memories about how to take these things seriously because we know it can cost you a league best defenseman.
This “he’s definitely going to New Jersey” isn’t as obvious if you know the family; the brothers are just as competitive (especially Jack & Quinn) as the Tkachuks; love one-upping the other. The family has ties to Michigan – where QH spends a great deal of the off-season – and Florida. He has friends throughout the league. And they are steeped in hockey culture, so the allure of the Original Six. Quinn was a big Lindstrom fan growing up. He’ll make his own decision so don’t assume it’s Jersey shores or bust…
The allure of tobacco road. Canes success will stain your fingers and infect your lungs.
Luke Hughes contract is working against your logic.
Felix unger sorum and Oscar Madison for Hughes.