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There’s also an obvious tug for Hughes to play with his brothers in New Jersey, or rekindle his connection with former Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet
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Published Dec 03, 2025 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 4 minute read
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Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes gives San Jose Sharks winger Collin Graf coverage fits during a Nov. 28 game in San Jose. Photo by Godofredo A. Vásquez Godofred /APArticle content
The ties that bind Quinn Hughes to the game as a self-professed hockey nerd are significant.
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Players, family, friends and an impressive development resume formed a foundation for the Vancouver Canucks’ captain to build his eye-popping presence in the NHL as a generational player and Norris Trophy winner.
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And now, as a red-hot trade topic amid uncertainty he’ll commit long term to the struggling Canucks when his extension expires after next season, the line of suitors is forming. Hughes is a transformational talent. His sublime skating, quick thinking, and laser-like, pinpoint passes can turn an offence from ordinary to outstanding.
The Canucks’ only recourse, if there’s a Hughes departure, is aiming high for a multiplayer trade return to get younger and eventually better. Hughes once again did what he could Tuesday in Denver in a 3-1 loss to the league-leading Colorado Avalanche. He was wheeling and dealing, had four shots, 12 attempts, and logged 29:27.
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However, losing takes a toll, even in an injury-riddled and condensed schedule. This was supposed to be the season to convince Hughes that the Canucks are a bona fide contender, but they’re far from it. He wants to win. He will have options.
This is all captain Quinn Hughes ever wanted. To win, to be a contender, and celebrate with Brock Boeser. Photo by ulia Demaree Nikhinson /AP
It’s why connecting the dots to determine a Hughes landing spot is the game that’s in play. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause, so the successful bidder needs assurance he’s not just a one-year lease before hitting free agency. That’s where ties will play a prominent role.
There are his formative years in Michigan with the U.S. National Team Development Program and the NCAA Wolverines. It’s also where he has a home. And at age 18, Hughes was the youngest player in the 2018 world hockey championship and looked like a veteran as the U.S. claimed bronze.
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Long-serving Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was his world championship teammate and roommate. They’ve also trained together and formed a lasting and respectful bond. And Hughes has long admired Detroit winger Patrick Kane.
The Canucks could push for first-line right-winger Lucas Raymond, 23, second-pairing rookie defenceman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, 20, first year third-line centre Nate Danielson, 21, plus a 2026 first-round draft pick. Raymond, Sandin-Pellikka and Danielson are first-round picks.
Raymond had 80 points (27-53) last season, and would be a vital addition if Kiefer Sherwood, and possibly Conor Garland, are traded. Sandin-Pellikka projects as a power play quarterback, and Danielson needs to develop a complete game at the NHL level.
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There’s also the obvious family tug for Hughes to play with brothers Jack and Luke in New Jersey, or rekindle a strong connection with former Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet in Philadelphia.
However, in self-proclaimed Hockeytown, they’re already debating the package to land Hughes and right a great wrong. The Red Wings missed on the difference-maker at the 2018 NHL Draft in favour of forgotten winger Filip Zadina.
Hughes has amassed 431 regular-season NHL points (61-370) in 454 games and set franchise records for most assists and points by a blueliner. Zadina is playing for Davos in the Swiss-A league after collecting just 91 points (41-50) in 262 games with Detroit and San Jose.
The Canucks expected to land a defenceman with the seventh-overall selection in 2018, but certainly not Hughes.
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They could have landed Evan Bouchard (10th overall) or Noah Dobson (12th) instead of the University of Michigan star, who seemed like the perfect pick for the Red Wings at No. 6. However, Detroit passed on Hughes in favour of Zadina, and elated Canucks general manager Jim Benning had the next pick. A kid who was changing the game was coming to Vancouver and not the Motor City.
Hughes’ hockey lineage, and familiarity with former Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill at the world championship, looked like it was lining up to be a no-brainer pick. However, Hughes was told two days before the draft that the Red Wings were going in another direction. It was stunning.
When Blashill, who’s now running the Chicago Blackhawks bench, was asked to provide his pre-draft assessment of Hughes, it was glowing.
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“I had a pretty unique opportunity to see him first-hand,” he told this reporter. “I like that he cares a ton, wants to be a player, has big-time passion for hockey and is willing to get better. I’m a big fan. I thought he could be one of those guys who had a skill set that was transferable.
“Some guys are really good players in junior or college, but maybe they’re not explosive enough or not big enough or fast enough. He’s super explosive with the best players in the world because of his skating.”
So, you’d think Blashhill would have had some influence at the Detroit draft table in 2018.
“Coaches sit there,” he chuckled. “We hope to pick out a good suit and hope to look good. We don’t really have a whole bunch (to add) because I saw one guy a lot (Hughes) and a whole lot of guys not much. How can I have a real grasp of comparables or things like that?
True. But the Wings should have picked his brain.
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