The Vancouver Canucks are having a nightmare 2025-26 season. At the time of this writing, the Canucks are at the very bottom of the NHL standings with an 11-16-3 record and 25 points. Things have also been getting worse for the Canucks as the season carries on, as they have won only two out of their last eight games.
The Canucks entered the 2025-26 season with the hope of bouncing back from their poor 2024-25 campaign and getting back into the playoffs. However, with the way things have gone so far this season, it is looking unlikely that they will be successful in achieving their goal.
With the Canucks struggling so much, several of their players are being discussed as trade candidates this season. Yet, there is no question that superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes is easily the most notable.
Questions about Hughes’ future in Vancouver are only continuing to come up as this season rolls on. It is understandable, as the 26-year-old defenseman can become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after next season. With this, the Canucks could very well sell high on the star blueliner if they do not believe he will want to stick around after his current deal is up.
Due to all of this, Hughes has been generating a ton of interest as a trade candidate. The two main teams that have been linked to him this season are the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings. However, according to a new report, a new team has entered the mix: the Washington Capitals.
Capitals Are Believed to Be Interested in Quinn Hughes
According to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, the Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes are two new teams that are interested in Hughes.
“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,” Pagnotta said about the Hughes sweepstakes.
Hearing the Capitals are believed to be interested in Hughes is understandable. The Metropolitan Division club is undoubtedly in a position to make a major move, as they are at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with an 18-9-3 record and 39 points. Adding a superstar like Hughes would only make them an even better team.
According to PuckPedia, the Capitals have over $2.2 million of cap space available right now. Due to this, they would need to move out salary if they hoped to successfully bring in Hughes and his $7.85 million cap hit.
Hughes Would Bolster Capitals’ Blueline
If the Capitals landed Hughes, he would greatly improve the left side of their defense. If they successfully acquired him, he would have the potential to be a perfect fit on their top pairing. Furthermore, due to his offensive skill, he would be an obvious choice for the Capitals’ power play. He would also have the potential to make some real magic with Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin.
Hughes has appeared in 25 games this season with the Canucks, where he has recorded two goals, 20 assists, and 22 points. This is after he posted 76 points in 68 games in 2024-25 and 92 points in 82 games in 2023-24. With this, there is no question that he would be a major pickup for the Capitals if brought in.
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