NHL Trade Rumors: Canucks’ Quinn Hughes could face Mitch Marner-like exit as Devils trade framework reportedly takes shape

The Vancouver Canucks face an important moment with captain Quinn Hughes, whose long-term future in Vancouver is far from certain. In just ten months, Hughes will be eligible to sign an extension, yet the possibility of him joining his brothers Jack and Luke Hughes on the New Jersey Devils looms large.

The situation is drawing eerie comparisons to the Mitch Marner saga in Toronto, where hesitation and indecision forced the Maple Leafs into a costly sign-and-trade scenario.

The contract dilemma surrounding Quinn Hughes

Under the NHL’s updated Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Canucks have a distinct contractual advantage. Vancouver can offer Hughes an eight-year extension next summer, while any rival team, including the Devils, would be capped at six years.

As analyst Noah Strang highlighted, “That’s a potential ~$30 million difference.” Theoretically, this leverage should put Vancouver in control of the negotiations.But money may not be the deciding factor here. Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford has hinted that Hughes’ desire to finish his career alongside his brothers could outweigh financial considerations. That motivation complicates the picture, leaving Vancouver with a painful choice: secure their Norris Trophy–winning captain long-term or risk losing him for nothing in 2027.

With trade rumors swirling, the Canucks cannot afford to let this uncertainty linger too long. If no extension materializes, management will have to seriously consider the kind of blockbuster deal that could reshape the franchise. The looming question is whether Vancouver has learned enough from the Maple Leafs’ mistakes to avoid a similar outcome.

Canucks weigh a familiar trade framework

The parallels with Marner’s case are hard to ignore. Toronto spent an entire season stuck in negotiations before finally executing a sign-and-trade that sent Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The prolonged distraction hurt team focus, morale, and results. Vancouver now risks walking into the same trap if they delay decisive action.For Hughes, the coming season will be filled with speculation. Every press conference, every losing streak, and every locker room discussion will circle back to his future. That pressure is compounded by the Canucks’ urgent need for a bounce-back campaign after underwhelming results.

A strong season might sway Hughes to commit, but as it stands, the odds of him following his brothers to New Jersey feel stronger than ever.General Manager Patrik Allvin must tread carefully. Unlike Toronto, he cannot afford to let this storyline dominate for too long. If extension talks stall, Vancouver must be proactive in exploring a sign-and-trade that preserves both assets and stability. Fans may not want to imagine life without their captain, but ignoring the writing on the wall could prove far more costly.Also Read: Dallas Stars hilariously troll Cowboys’ shocking Micah Parsons trade with witty Mikko Rantanen tweet that fans can’t stop sharing