Who’s In and Who’s Out? The Latest in the Quinn Hughes Sweepstakes

Quinn Hughes is, and will continue to be, at the center of attention around the hockey world until he is inevitably traded out of Vancouver. For a long time, the landing spot felt just as inevitable as his Canucks departure: New Jersey. However, the rest of the NHL is not prepared to sit on their hands and let the Hughes brothers team up on the Devils without putting up a fight.

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Because of that, numerous different landing spots have been rumored and speculated about in recent weeks, and the sweepstakes have expanded well beyond what anyone had initially anticipated.

So who’s really in the mix to acquire the 2023-24 Norris Trophy winner, and who’s interested but maybe not willing to pony up in a trade package? Let’s get into the very latest.

Who is In on Quinn Hughes?

The New Jersey Devils are, of course, the frontrunners, though plenty of Eastern Conference competition has emerged in an attempt to spoil the family reunion.

Reports suggest that the Detroit Red Wings, who Hughes has ties to, aren’t far behind New Jersey in the chase, and might actually have the best assortment of assets to acquire the superstar defenseman in a trade with Vancouver.

A Metropoliation Division rival who’s come out of the woodwork is Washington, mentioned by several insiders as one to keep an eye on. The Capitals have a plethora of interesting young players and draft picks they could use to give Alex Ovechkin one last push for a second Stanley Cup.

Former head coach Rick Tocchet and the Philadelphia Flyers have also been connected to Hughes, though what they’re able to offer in a return package may not stack up with the likes of the Devils, Red Wings, or even the Capitals.

The Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins have been loosely connected to trade speculation.

Lastly, David Pagnotta has also added the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers as two other Metro teams that might be willing to swing big for Hughes.

Who is Out on Quinn Hughes?

First off, the Canucks are almost certainly out on Hughes, as their disastrous start to the 2025-26 season has all but sealed the fate of their captain’s future, so it’s time to maximize his value and get the best possible haul in return, wherever they may come from.

Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, to the surprise of many, brought the Pittsburgh Penguins into the equation, stating that Kyle Dubas and company have what it takes if they wanted to pull off such a move, which, like with Washington and Ovechkin, would be about helping Sidney Crosby pursue one more championship.

While it’s a fascinating thought, reports have started to surface that the Penguins don’t have any intentions of sacrificing the youth movement they’ve been building, as tantalizing as Hughes is.

Similarly, the Bruins also don’t believe it makes sense or is plausible to bring Hughes to Boston, with a preference for adding up front to help lighten the load off David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie.

It really boils down to the Devils, Red Wings, and now the Capitals, who, by the sounds of it, have rounded out the top three. Philadelphia, Carolina, and New York still can’t be discounted, though Pittsburgh and Boston, on the other hand, should refrain from getting too excited about their chances.

Next: Insider Reveals Offer Canucks Turned Down to Acquire Top Wild Forward