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NHL analyst Bryan Hayes has suggested a blockbuster trade that would send Quinn Hughes to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Matthew Knies plus draft picks.
Hughes, who has two years left on his six-year, $47.1 million contract, is frequently mentioned in trade rumors despite the Canucks repeatedly stating that moving their captain is not a priority.
During a recent segment of TSN’s OverDrive, Hayes discussed which teams Hughes would fit best with and what kind of package they’d have to give up.
He said that the move is difficult to pull off mid-season, but if the Leafs really want to get him on board right now, it's going to cost them Matthew Knies plus the draft picks.
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"I mean, listen, it's difficult mid-season and it's difficult with a hard salary cap. It's tough to do. Let's say the Leafs are really rocking right now and it's going to cost you Matthew Knies. I'm doing it. That's what I'm telling you. Okay, I'm doing that plus the picks and the like that's how good Quinn Hughes is," Hayes said.
Matthew Knies is currently signed to a six-year, $46.5 million contract with the Leafs. He will become an unrestricted free agent after the end of the 2030-31 season. The 23-year-old has accumulated 22 points through five goals and 17 assists in 19 games this season.
Elliotte Freidman provides latest on Quinn Hughes' trade status
In his recent column for Sportsnet, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Canucks have made their veteran players available on the trade market. The Canucks are open to offers for those veterans as part of a strategy to acquire younger and more dynamic players.
However, regarding Quinn Hughes, he reported that the defenseman is not on the list, as the club has no intention of trading him.
“They’ve made it clear (trading him) is not their priority right now,” one executive said. (Filip Hronek is another player teams feel is unlikely to go anywhere.)
Filip Hronek is another player the team feels is unlikely to go anywhere.
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