Devils Reportedly Made First Move in Pursuit of Canucks' Quinn Hughes

The long-running speculation linking Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes to the New Jersey Devils moved into new territory on Saturday.

Elliotte Friedman appeared on Sportsnet’s “Saturday Headlines” segment and delivered the first confirmed update on actual contact between the Devils and the Canucks involving Hughes.

New Jersey, which already rosters Quinn’s brothers Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes, has been the center of rumors about a possible family reunion for months.

Friedman reported the Devils have formally checked in with Vancouver regarding Hughes’ future, although no trade is imminent for now.

“I do not believe there is anything imminent,” Friedman said. “I don’t even know that they’re anywhere far along. But I do believe that a conversation was had about where things stand and where they might be going.”

Friedman added further clarity on the context behind the Devils’ call to Vancouver, noting the Canucks’ recent shift and placement of nearly all of their veterans in the trade market.

“Once Vancouver announced that they were open for business, sent that email around to the league, I do believe there was a conversation, at least one, between the Devils and the Canucks about Quinn Hughes,” Friedman said.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) during a stoppage in play.Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The inquiry comes as the Canucks sit second-last in the NHL with an 11-15-3 record. Hughes, meanwhile, is signed through 2026–27 at a $7.85 million cap hit and has been non-committal about his long-term future in Vancouver.

Hughes addressed the report after Vancouver’s 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night.

“It wasn’t like if there was a call that me, Jim [Rutherford] and [Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald] hopped on a call. I wasn’t a part of that,” Hughes said. “But obviously I’m aware that things like that could happen.”

New Jersey remains in a cap-tight situation, and Friedman noted the Devils’ trade reality is far from excellent at this point.

“With the Devils, because of their injury and cap situation, they’re dollar in, dollar out,” Friedman said. “They got a lot going on.”

The Devils have $2.8 million in current cap space but they project to be nearly $5 million over the cap by next offseason.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 7, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Devils Reportedly Made First Move in Pursuit of Canucks’ Quinn Hughes

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