The Vancouver Canucks may have a unique opportunity to fulfill their captain Quinn Hughes’ wish. Earlier this year, the idea that Hughes wanted to play with his brothers on the same team became a hot-button topic for fans in Vancouver.
With two of the three Hughes brothers playing with the New Jersey Devils, the rumor mill began to grind with the possibility of Quinn leaving Vancouver to join his brothers in New Jersey.
But then, things took an unexpected twist. Luke Hughes, the youngest, has yet to sign a new contract with the Devils. He’s an RFA and is not at New Jersey’s training camp this season due to the contract holdout.
If this situation drags on any longer, could it come to the point where the Devils may have no choice but to trade Luke Hughes?
It might not be the type of situation that one might want to bet on, but it’s certainly an intriguing one. The contract standoff could get to such a point where the only way out may be to move Luke.
And that’s where the Vancouver Canucks could be ready to bring in another of the Hughes brothers into the fold. This scenario, of course, depends on a trade. The Canucks would need to work out a trade with the Devils.
But given the circumstances, the Canucks might be willing to do whatever it took to reunite two-thirds of the Hughes brothers.
This thought is merely speculation at this point. Nevertheless, it’s an enticing thought for Canucks fans.
Canucks Would Bring in Luke to Keep Quinn
The biggest fear in Canucks fans’ minds is the possibility of Quinn Hughes leaving in free agency to join his brothers. As already mentioned, Luke is a Devils’ RFA. Meanwhile, the other Hughes brother, Jack, is under contract until 2030 in New Jersey.
So, one would think that it’s easier for Quinn to wait two years to join his brothers than it would be to bring the other two to Vancouver. But Luke’s surprising contract standstill opens up a unique chance.
If the Canucks could pull off a trade for Luke Hughes, the thought would be that Quinn would not be going anywhere. With one of his brothers already on the team, the Canucks’ captain would be much more willing to sign a long-term extension.
The next step would be to lure the remaining Hughes brother to Vancouver and complete the trifecta.
Vancouver Could Engineer a Trade for Jack Hughes
Jack Hughes has one year remaining on his current contract without trade protection. Starting in 2026-27, he has a 10-team no-trade clause.
That would give the Devils one more season of freedom to move him wherever they chose. After that, the leeway reduces somewhat.
Would Vancouver be on Hughes’ 10-team no-trade list?
Hardly, especially if his brothers are already there. So, could Jack Hughes pressure the Devils to trade him to the Canucks if Luke heads there, too?
It’s plausible. It’s not like Jack would throw a tantrum to force a trade. But the sense could be there that he wants to join Luke and Quinn.
The Devils could be in a tough spot. They may not have much say in the matter. Particularly, it could happen if Hughes’ agent, Pat Brisson, applies the screws to Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald. It might just seem like the stars are lining up for the Hughes brothers to reunite. It could be an expensive move for the Canucks, but a worthwhile one.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Canucks Have Shot to Land Hughes Brother Amid Holdout appeared first on Heavy Sports.