VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Vancouver Canucks are once again at a crossroads, and the future of their captain, Quinn Hughes, has become a hot topic of discussion among fans and insiders alike. Amid an offseason already filled with uncertainty and change, a bold proposal by veteran NHL columnist Larry Brooks has added fuel to the fire—one that imagines Hughes reuniting with his brothers, Jack and Luke, on the New Jersey Devils.
The idea? A blockbuster trade that would send one of the league’s premier defensemen to the East Coast in exchange for a king’s ransom of young talent and draft capital. And according to Brooks, this isn’t just a fantasy scenario. It’s a real possibility that the Canucks might be forced to consider sooner than anyone expected.
Tocchet’s Departure Triggers Bigger Questions in Vancouver
The Canucks’ coaching situation was already raising eyebrows after Rick Tocchet—who just led the team to a Pacific Division title and won the Jack Adams Award for NHL Coach of the Year—announced he would not be returning for another season. Tocchet’s sudden exit comes amid reports of internal tensions and friction within the organization, a fact that has only deepened concerns about the team’s overall direction.
With Tocchet now out of the picture, speculation has begun to swirl not only around forward Elias Pettersson, whose contract status remains unresolved, but also around the long-term future of Quinn Hughes, the team’s captain and most valuable blueliner.
Enter Larry Brooks, one of the NHL’s most experienced and respected media voices. Writing for the New York Post, Brooks suggested that Vancouver should consider trading Hughes to the Devils—a deal that would not only make hockey sense but also satisfy the familial aspirations of the Hughes brothers.
The Hughes Family Dream
For years, the idea of all three Hughes brothers playing on the same NHL team has intrigued fans and media alike. Jack, the middle brother, is already a star center for the Devils, while Luke, the youngest, is emerging as a top-four defenseman. Quinn, the eldest, is the only one playing elsewhere—but not by choice, according to Brooks.
“The oldest Hughes brother wants to play with his siblings,” Brooks wrote. “And here’s a secret: it’s not going to happen in Vancouver.”
Though Quinn remains under contract with the Canucks through the 2026-27 season, Brooks argues that there’s little reason for the team to delay the inevitable. Rather than waiting until free agency looms, Vancouver could maximize Hughes’ trade value now while still having leverage and control.
A Deal That Could Change the Future of Two Franchises
Brooks’ proposed trade isn’t just speculation—it includes a detailed potential package that highlights how valuable Hughes is and what kind of return the Canucks could reasonably expect.
Proposed trade:
To New Jersey Devils:
Quinn Hughes
To Vancouver Canucks:
Choice of Simon Nemec or Seamus Casey (top young defense prospects)
Choice of Anton Silayev (D) or Arseni Gritsyuk (F)
A 1st-round draft pick
Dawson Mercer (promising young forward)
It’s a substantial haul—one that could allow the Canucks to reshape their roster with youth and upside. Brooks compared the situation to the 2005 departure of Devils legend Scott Niedermayer, who left the team in free agency without any return. He argues that Vancouver now has the chance to avoid a similar mistake by trading Hughes while his value is sky-high.
“At least the Canucks have the opportunity to get something significant back,” Brooks wrote. “It could be a bounty.”
Why Now?
Timing, according to Brooks, is everything. With the Canucks already in flux following Tocchet’s exit and uncertainty swirling around the locker room, dealing Hughes could serve as a dramatic but decisive turning point. Rather than dragging the process out and risking a fractured locker room or a decline in value, the team could act swiftly and begin to rebuild with clarity and purpose.
For the Devils, meanwhile, the payoff would be immediate. Adding Quinn Hughes to a young core that already includes Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and others would vault them into true Stanley Cup contention. It would also give them perhaps the most compelling family trio in NHL history.
Though Jack Hughes was sidelined during the Devils’ playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, there’s little doubt about his role as the team’s centerpiece. With his brother Quinn on the back end and Luke continuing to develop, New Jersey could build around a unique combination of talent, chemistry, and family bonds.
Canucks at a Crossroads
There’s no question the idea of trading Quinn Hughes would be controversial in Vancouver. He’s not just a high-scoring defenseman—he’s the team’s captain, a fan favorite, and arguably the most important player on the roster. His skating, vision, and leadership have helped anchor the Canucks during both the highs and lows of recent seasons.
But as the organization looks to turn the page and rebuild its identity, the question becomes whether holding on to Hughes is the best long-term move—or if the timing is right to cash in for a transformative return.
Larry Brooks has made his opinion clear: the Canucks should move decisively. Whether Vancouver’s front office agrees remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the hockey world will be watching.
As the offseason unfolds and the coaching search continues, don’t be surprised if the idea of a “Hughes brothers reunion” gains more traction. Because in today’s NHL, blockbuster trades aren’t just fantasy—they’re very real possibilities.
