The Devils came in second place for Quinn Hughes.
The 26-year-old superstar Canucks defenseman — who is brothers with Devils players Jack and Luke Hughes — was shockingly dealt to the Minnesota Wild on Friday.
Going to Vancouver in the deal is Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a first round pick, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported.
Last Saturday night, Friedman said on Hockey Night in Canada that New Jersey has had “at least one” conversation with the Vancouver Canucks about acquiring the superstar defenseman. Friedman made sure to stress that nothing seemed close — especially given the work the Devils would have to do to make Hughes fit under their salary cap.
Hughes carries a $7.85 million cap hit through 2027. According to Puck Pedia, the Devils have $2.8 million in cap space.
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“I do not believe there is anything imminent,” Friedman said, via his Saturday Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada. “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.”
Hughes has been in trade rumors for months — and his connections to the Devils were obvious. Brothers Jack and Luke, both Devils stars, have contracts that expire through the 2029-30 and 2031-32 seasons.
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Let’s see if the Devils can sign him in free agency in 2027…
