Vancouver Canucks Eye Luke Hughes in Ambitious Sign-and-Trade Proposal Featuring Prospect Tom Willander
The Vancouver Canucks may be preparing to make a bold move in an effort to secure the long-term future of their captain and franchise cornerstone, Quinn Hughes. With his current contract set to expire in 2027, there’s growing concern within the organization that Hughes might choose to leave Vancouver, particularly given his well-known desire to one day play alongside his brothers, Jack and Luke Hughes, both currently with the New Jersey Devils.
This concern was amplified at the team’s end-of-season press conference, where President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford made headlines with his candid remarks about Hughes’ future. Rather than offering reassurance about locking down the team’s top player, Rutherford acknowledged that money might not be the main factor in Hughes’ decision-making process. Instead, he highlighted the emotional and familial element, pointing to Quinn’s publicly stated wish to eventually play with his brothers.
“It may not boil down to money with [Quinn],” Rutherford said. “He’s said before he wants to play with his brothers. That would be partly out of our control. In our control if we brought his brothers here.”
While Rutherford was simply being transparent, his comments sparked a wave of speculation and concern. He even admitted the team could be forced to consider trading Hughes if it became clear they couldn’t re-sign him down the line. “We control him for a year and two-thirds because if we get to that trade deadline two years from now and it looks like he doesn’t want to stay, then we would have to do something,” he added.
This statement only increased urgency around keeping Hughes in Vancouver—not just for what he means to the current roster, but for the signal it would send about the direction of the franchise. The Canucks know that if they want any chance of persuading Quinn to stick around, they need to get creative—and aggressive.
One scenario that’s quickly gaining traction involves making a serious push to acquire his younger brother, Luke Hughes. While the dream of bringing both Jack and Luke to Vancouver might be unrealistic—especially considering Jack’s importance to the Devils as their franchise center—targeting Luke is more feasible. He’s the youngest and least established of the Hughes trio in terms of NHL experience, making him a slightly easier trade target.
That’s where Tom Willander comes into play. Willander, the Canucks’ top defensive prospect, was just signed to an Entry-Level Contract after significant negotiation. Known for his elite skating, relentless motor, and tenacious defensive play, Willander is considered a future top-pairing defenseman. The Canucks are excited about his potential, but they may be willing to part with him if it means bringing Luke Hughes into the fold—and taking the first major step toward keeping Quinn.
Hannah Stuart, a prospect analyst, summed up the thinking behind the potential trade: “Willander’s skill set would fill the gap left by Luke in some important ways, including his high-end skating skills and his motor that never quits. He’s miserable to try to play against—he’s always engaged physically, competing for pucks and generally making opponents regret whatever decisions they made on the ice to end up facing off against him. The Canucks obviously want to sign him, but if it starts to seem like they can’t, and they could use him to nab one of Quinn’s brothers, well—I get the thought process. Especially when it heads down the path of ‘if we get Luke now, maybe we can somehow get Jack later.’”
It’s a bold vision, but one that reflects the Canucks’ growing desperation to build around their star captain rather than risk losing him. By acquiring Luke, Vancouver would be signaling a commitment not just to Quinn, but to a larger dream that could, in time, reshape the identity of the entire franchise. And even if bringing all three brothers together remains a long shot, securing one of them could dramatically shift the conversation—and Quinn’s mindset.
For the Devils, acquiring a highly-regarded prospect like Willander could be tempting, especially if they feel they’re deep enough on defense or looking to balance the roster. Luke’s upside is considerable, but New Jersey may see value in dealing from a position of strength—particularly if it allows them to strengthen another area and potentially avoid future contract headaches.
This potential sign-and-trade involving Willander and Luke Hughes wouldn’t just be a strategic hockey decision; it would be a family-driven, emotionally charged maneuver with massive implications for both organizations. For the Canucks, it’s a chance to reshape their future, to entice their captain to stay, and to start building a core that could be both competitive and personally meaningful for Quinn Hughes.
In the swirling sea of offseason rumors, this proposed move stands out for its ambition and potential impact. While nothing is finalized, the concept of shipping Willander to New Jersey in exchange for Luke Hughes is gaining momentum among fans and insiders alike. It’s the kind of move that could start the domino effect the Canucks need.
Ultimately, the Canucks face a delicate balancing act. They must weigh the immense promise of Tom Willander against the once-in-a-generation opportunity to unite the Hughes brothers in Vancouver. If they believe that adding Luke could anchor Quinn for the long term—and potentially pave the way for Jack down the line—it may be a risk worth taking.
In the end, it’s about more than just roster building. It’s about identity, loyalty, and family. And if the Canucks want to keep Quinn Hughes in blue and green beyond 2027, they may have to bet big on bloodlines.
