Canucks Trade Star to Devils in 4-Player Blockbuster Proposal

Proposed Trade Sees Canucks Deal Quinn Hughes to Devils in 4-Player Blockbuster

The future of star defenseman Quinn Hughes with the Vancouver Canucks is uncertain, and a potential blockbuster trade has been suggested that would send him to the New Jersey Devils to join his brothers.

Using the PuckPedia PuckGM tool, one user proposed a trade in which Vancouver would send Hughes to New Jersey in exchange for a significant return:

Canucks Receive:

• Dawson Mercer

• Simon Nemec

• Mikhail Yegorov (signing rights)

• 2025 second-round pick

• 2026 first-round pick

• 2026 second-round pick

Devils Receive:

• Quinn Hughes

This trade would be a major move, with Vancouver acquiring two NHL players, a promising prospect, and three draft picks in exchange for their star defenseman.

Mercer, who would likely slot into a top-six forward role with the Canucks, has two years remaining on his three-year, $12 million deal. Last season, he recorded 19 goals and 17 assists in 82 games.

Nemec, selected second overall in 2022, would help fill the void left by Hughes on the blue line. He recorded 2 goals and 2 assists in 27 games last season.

Yegorov, a second-round pick from the 2024 draft, is a promising goalie prospect. Vancouver would also receive a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2026 second-round pick, making this a very appealing haul.

In return, the Devils would acquire Hughes, one of the NHL’s top defensemen. Hughes, who has two years left on his six-year, $47.1 million contract, would join his brothers Jack and Luke on the Devils’ roster. Last season, he posted 16 goals and 60 assists for 76 points in 68 games, anchoring New Jersey’s top defensive pair.

Canucks May Be Forced to Trade Hughes

Although Hughes is Vancouver’s best player, his future with the team remains uncertain. With two years left on his contract, Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford hinted that the team may be forced to trade Hughes if he doesn’t want to stay long-term.

Rutherford explained, “We control him for two more years, but if we get to that trade deadline two years from now, and it looks like he doesn’t want to stay, then we would have to do something.” He added, “We are hoping that he’s here to stay and he’s the leader of the team and the face of the franchise.”

Quinn Hughes’ Desire to Play with His Brothers

Hughes, the older brother of Jack and Luke, has expressed interest in playing with his siblings in the future. Rutherford confirmed this, stating, “He wants to play with his brothers, and that would be partly out of our control.” He emphasized the Canucks’ commitment to keeping Quinn Hughes, saying, “This franchise cannot afford to lose a guy like Quinn Hughes, and we will do everything we can to keep him here.”

Hughes, a one-time Norris Trophy winner as the league’s best defenseman, could have a major role in shaping the Canucks’ future.