The rumors connecting Vancouver Canucks star Quinn Hughes and the Washington Capitals continued on Thursday.
After Elliotte Friedman floated the Capitals as a potential trade suitor for Hughes on NHL Network earlier in the week, Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal also connected the Caps with the 26-year-old defenseman. Dhaliwal listed a few specific Capitals players and prospects he believes the Canucks may have interest in if there were a deal to be made.
“A lot of people are telling me to keep an eye on Washington,” Dhaliwal said on Thursday’s episode of Donnie and Dhali – The Team. “They want to win the Cup for Ovechkin. He doesn’t have much time left, right? Canucks would be asking for the likes of 24-year-old center Connor McMichael, 57 points last year, and 19-year-old, left-shot defenseman Cole Hutson should be on the radar as well.”
McMichael and Hutson fit part of the return that Friedman mentioned Vancouver likely wants for Hughes on Tuesday: “a center, and…a D to replace Hughes.” McMichael is playing the final year of a two-year bridge deal he signed with the Capitals ahead of last season and, as a restricted free agent again, is due for a sizable raise on the $2.1 million he is currently making against the salary cap.
In 30 games this season, McMichael has recorded 15 points (4g, 11a), which would see him on pace to fall short of his career high of 57 points (26g, 31a) from the 2024-25 campaign. The challenge for the Capitals and potentially the Canucks is determining if McMichael can refind that previous form on a more consistent basis during his prime years moving forward.
Hutson is leading all NCAA defensemen in scoring during his sophomore season. In 17 games, he has recorded 20 points (7g, 13a), and is reportedly a player the Canucks had their eyes on during the 2024 NHL Draft before the Capitals secured him early in the second round.
“Canucks scouts and executives spent a lot of time watching Hutson at Boston University,” Dhaliwal said. “They’ve coveted him for a while.”
One player the Capitals reportedly have no interest in discussing is 20-year-old winger Ryan Leonard. Leonard, who has 18 points (7g, 11a) in 29 games during his rookie season, was selected by the Capitals with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
“I am told Ryan Leonard, forget about it if the Canucks are going to ask about that guy,” Dhaliwal said. “Untouchable, but Capitals, I’m told, are doing their due diligence on Quinn Hughes.”
After the Nashville Predators secured a win on Tuesday, the Canucks are now last in the entire NHL with their 11-16-3 record, and Hughes does not have a point in his last six games. Hughes is signed to his current contract through next season (2026-27) at a $7.85 million cap hit with no trade protections, so the Canucks do not need him to sign off on any trade destination.
Hughes, the 2024 Norris Trophy winner as the league’s top defender, will become eligible for a contract extension in July.