Elliotte Friedman breaks down Canucks' strategy to get Quinn Hughes out of Vancouver: "Can trade him anywhere they wish"

This week, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman provided the clearest picture yet of the Vancouver Canucks’ evolving strategy regarding captain Quinn Hughes and why the organization appears increasingly open to moving one of the league’s elite defenseman.

According to Friedman, the Canucks have made it clear behind the scenes that they are prepared to trade Quinn Hughes and, crucially, hold full control over the process.

“Hughes does not have no-trade or no-move protection. Therefore, the Canucks can trade him anywhere they wish, and have indicated they are prepared to do just that,” he wrote.

While it is believed that Hughes prefers the Eastern Conference long-term, the Canucks are not obligated to accommodate that. Friedman noted that Vancouver could just as easily ship him West if a Western club steps up with a superior offer.

The insider also pointed out that teams wanting to acquire a player of Hughes’ caliber will want an idea of whether he’d be open to staying long-term:

“Of course, there’s no tampering in the NHL but you can be certain any landing spot will want an idea if it appeals to the 2024 Norris Trophy winner.”

He also reported that it is assumed that the Capitals would consider a two-year run with Hughes even without certainty of an extension for a chance to make one more Stanley Cup push with Alexander Ovechkin.

“A few teams believe Washington, depending on the price, would consider a two-year stay, because there’d be something very special about another Stanley Cup run while Alexander Ovechkin remains a Capital,” Friedman wrote.

Among teams interested to make a move, Friedman listed New Jersey as the obvious fit, Detroit as a long-running possibility, Washington as monitoring but unlikely to part with top young pieces, the Rangers as an unlikely match, Philadelphia as lacking the centre Vancouver wants, Pittsburgh as a scenario sources dismissed and Carolina as a team he “always assumes tries.”

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Quinn Hughes confirms knowledge of Canucks-Devils' conversation rumor

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes directly addressed a circulating trade-related rumor last weekend confirming that a conversation between the Canucks and the New Jersey Devils front office did occur while emphasizing he had no involvement in it.

The clarification came Saturday night following Vancouver’s 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. When asked about the report suggesting the two clubs had discussed a framework involving the Canucks captain, Hughes acknowledged the situation but distanced himself from any participation.

“I mean, no,” Hughes said at first. “I’m doing what I can. I’m on the ice. It’s not like me, Jim + Fitzy hopped on a call, I wasn’t a part of that.”

“But obviously I’m aware that things like that could happen for sure,” he added.

Hughes is signed through 2026-27 on a six-year, $47.1-million contract carrying a $7.85 million cap hit. He becomes eligible to sign an extension on July 1, 2026 and under the current CBA, Vancouver will have a two-month window next summer to offer the full eight-year maximum term before new CBA rules shorten allowable contract lengths.