A quick look back at the transcendent transactions that have taken place in the history of the National Hockey League proves that no superstar is ever truly untouchable.
After all, if Wayne Gretzky, the greatest player to ever lace up a pair of skates, can be traded, then no player should be considered off limits.
Patrick Roy forced his way out of Montreal in one of the ugliest exits in sports. Mark Messier was shipped to New York in a deal that revived the moribund Rangers franchise. Brendan Shanahan, Chris Pronger, Frank Mahovlich — franchise icons who still wound up wearing new sweaters after seismic trades.
And it hasn’t just been ancient history. Look at a few deals from recent years.
Matthew Tkachuk’s move from Calgary to Florida turned the Panthers into Stanley Cup contenders overnight. Jack Eichel’s long-awaited divorce from Buffalo put Vegas over the top. And just last season, Mikko Rantanen was traded twice.
The NHL is a league where even the brightest stars can get moved if the timing, money, and circumstances line up.
Which brings us to Quinn Hughes.
Reports Hint at Canucks Superstar Quinn Hughes Joining Brothers in New Jersey
Hughes isn’t just another good player. He’s a franchise cornerstone, the 25-year-old captain of the Vancouver Canucks, and one of the most electrifying defensemen in the league. His skating, puck control, and ability to dictate tempo have made him the face of Vancouver’s current era.
But here’s the harsh reality: Hughes’ contract situation and future intentions loom over everything.
As Canucks Daily has pointed out, there’s growing concern that Hughes, who is due to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season, may not commit long-term in Vancouver. And if that’s the case, the Canucks face the same cold calculus that teams like the Flames with Tkachuk and the Sabres with Eichel faced before them — trade a superstar while you still can, or risk losing him for pennies later.
That leverage gap matters. If it becomes clear Hughes doesn’t plan to re-sign, Vancouver’s best move may be to act sooner rather than later, even if the return doesn’t match his full value on paper.
And where does the smoke seem to be blowing? Toward New Jersey.
It’s no secret that the New Jersey Devils have built a core around Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes. Adding Quinn to the mix isn’t just a feel-good family story — it’s a hockey move with teeth. Jack is already one of the game’s brightest young forwards. Luke has blossomed into a top-pairing defenseman. Pairing Quinn with his brothers would give New Jersey a nucleus unlike anything the league has seen: three Hughes brothers, each elite in their own right, driving play at different positions.
From a marketing perspective, it’s a dream. From a hockey perspective, it’s terrifying for the rest of the Metropolitan Division.
Devils Package Starting With Dawson Mercer, Defensive Prospect Could Land Quinn Hughes
So what would it take? As usual, that’s the tricky part, and it would undoubtedly be impacted by the timing of the trade.
The Canucks would likely want a package built around high-end young talent and draft capital. In his analysis of the Quinn Hughes situation, James Mirtle of The Athletic notes that given the current contracts in place, the Devils are already assured to be “overloaded on the back end” with quality NHL players for the foreseeable future, leaving defensive prospects Anton Silayev and Seamus Casey as a good place for the trade talks to begin.
Vancouver is known to be on the lookout for a second-line center, and 23-year-old Dawson Mercer might fit the bill. The No. 18 overall pick in the 2020 draft, Mercer has two years left on his three-year, $12 million contract with New Jersey. A package of Mercer, either Silayev or Casey, a first-round pick in 2026 and second-round pick in 2027 would certainly get the conversation rolling.
For Vancouver, a Hughes trade would sting — but getting a top defensive prospect, an NHL-ready young center, and premium draft assets could reset their timeline. The challenge is that New Jersey knows the situation. If Quinn’s long-term future in Vancouver is doubtful, the Canucks’ leverage dips. And the Devils, with a deep pool of blueliners, can afford to wait.
This is why so many around the league believe a deal isn’t just possible — it feels inevitable. Vancouver has a superstar who may not want to commit long-term. New Jersey has both the family pull and the organizational depth to make it happen.
The NHL’s history books are filled with trades that once felt unthinkable. Gretzky. Roy. Messier. Shanahan. Pronger. More recently, Tkachuk and Eichel.
Adding Quinn Hughes to that list shouldn’t shock anyone.
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