NHL Rumor Mill – April 22, 2025
Could Quinn Hughes reunite with his brothers in Vancouver or New Jersey this summer? What’s next for the Kraken after making changes behind the bench and in the front office? What’s the latest on the Bruins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE HUGHES BROTHERS REUNITE IN VANCOUVER OR NEW JERSEY?
SPORTSNET: Iain MacIntyre thinks Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford was joking when he spoke about reuniting team captain Quinn Hughes with brothers Jack and Luke, who play for the New Jersey Devils.
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).
Rutherford mentioned that Quinn had spoken of playing with his brothers one day. He said that was partly out of the club’s control, but it would be within the team’s control to bring Jack and Luke to Vancouver.
“We’ve got to be careful with tampering here, so we’ll just leave it at that,” said Rutherford. “I probably crossed the line anyways.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rutherford was speaking about the importance of ensuring sufficient cap space to re-sign Quinn when his contract expires in two years. He suggested money might not be what matters most to him, mentioning the blueliner’s brothers.
Rutherford’s remarks raised eyebrows and will undoubtedly spark speculation about how such a reunion might happen. However, there is no indication Quinn intends to leave the Canucks, while the Devils aren’t parting with Jack and Luke.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes it would be easier for Quinn to head to New Jersey than for Jack and Luke to go to Vancouver.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The path of least resistance is to wait for Quinn to become a UFA in 2027. It will only cost the Devils money to sign him rather than money plus a package of player assets to acquire him through a trade with the Canucks.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Canucks must come up with a plan to ensure they keep Quinn in the lineup for a long time. One way would be getting aggressive in the trade and free-agent markets over the next two years to make the Canucks the best competitive option.
Another would be acquiring Jack and Luke. However, that would be very difficult to accomplish given their lack of trade assets to make such a blockbuster occur.
The Canucks could also trade Quinn if it appears unlikely that he’ll sign a long-term extension next summer. However, they would get equal value for Hughes.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The best way is for the Canucks to convince Quinn that they want to build a winner around him. That means trying to stock up their roster over the next two years through trades and free agency. Their moves this summer will determine if Hughes has a long-term future in Vancouver.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE KRAKEN?
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Matt Calkins recently looked at what the Kraken must do this summer to regain relevance after missing the playoffs for the second straight season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Calkins wrote this column on Apr. 17, before the Kraken fired head coach Dan Bylsma and replaced Ron Francis as general manager with Jason Botterill.
Team CEO Tod Leiweke said last week that Kraken fans should expect this offseason to be one of the most active and busy in the club’s short history.
Calkins believes the Kraken should leverage their draft capital to land one or two true scorers. He pointed out that they have five first-round picks and four second-rounders over the next three drafts. That’s ample ammunition to make some moves.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lack of scoring punch has been the Kraken’s weakness. They’ve never had a true scoring star on their roster. Landing one won’t be easy, even with that draft capital. It’ll be interesting to see what approach Botterill takes this summer to address that need.
Calkin’s colleague Kate Schefte listed several possible coaching candidates to replace Dan Bylsma.
Former Rangers coach Peter Laviolette, Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet, and former NHL coaches Bruce Boudreau and John Tortorella were among the notables.
RECENT BRUINS SPECULATION
NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss recently looked at what the Bruins might do to fix their roster and bounce back as a playoff contender next season.
Finding a legitimate top-six center is one issue to be addressed. The best potential free-agent option would be Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers. However, he’s not one the Bruins should spend major money on, especially if they want to take a crack at signing Mitch Marner if he parts ways with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent on July 1.
Goss believes the trade market is the best way for the Bruins to find a suitable top-six center. He points out they’ve got four first-round picks and five second-rounders over the next three drafts to draw on for trade bait.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Finding suitable centers in the trade market won’t be easy. The Bruins could target cash-strapped clubs to address that need.
Shame on Larkin. Look in the mirror.
17 points in the last 20 Detroit games. Larkin has played in 5 playoff games in his career and he is close to 30. that team is not deep
They were terrible except for 5 weeks of the season. Nothing at the deadline would have helped; he’s complaining that they didn’t mortgage the future for the slim possibility of a first round sweep.
If Quinn really going to split. Nuks should make the trade with NJ this offseason. Hamilton Nimec. And a 1st would probably do it
Hamilton has some no trade protection, not sure if Vancouver is on the list. Also, it would have to be a 2026 first as they don’t have a first this year. Otherwise the Devs do that deal in a heartbeat…not sure Rutherford does though.
But what is going on in Vancouver. Lately there has been a lot of turmoil.
26 is much better draft And ya dougie has full no move. So ultimately it would be up to him Maybe the nuks could pull a forward as well
Like Mercer
I don’t know which was worse: Rutherford acknowledging that Quinn wants to play with his brothers, or joking. And that in his season ending news conference wrapping up a season filled with chaos.
Mercer, Nemec and a 1st maybe ?
but NJD do have Hamilton who would have to agree to be dealt…if not thats alot of $ on your backend and not even ice time for some big horses
I don’t think Rutherford would have mentioned it if Quinn did not make that comment. I think that was a sign to the fans that Quinn is going to be gone. The cost is going to be high and must include Hischier and Nemec plus ?? If Marner walks I can see Vancouver being all over him.
If I were Van I would explore a trade now. Offer Quinn up for Nemec, Seamus, Timo and a 1st.
Timo’s stats have been GREAT when Jack Hughes is sidelined. They can’t coexist (not enough pucks to go around) and Jack gets the preferential treatment.
Timo might flourish again alongside EP. And Nemec and Seamus give Van two defensemen they can lock up for a decade.
And everybody in Canuck land are happy you`re not Van. Put Jesper Bratt in the mix and you might get Van to listen. Guys like Meier or Hamilton aren`t getting you anything but a click and a buzzing sound afterwards
If even the highest scoring brothers in NHL history, Wayne and Brent Gretzky, never got to play together, I would think that the Hughes brothers all playing together would be a longshot too.
This was a funny post that made me do some googling. Brent’s 4 points and gretzkys bazillion. But the sutter family beat the gretzkys. By all of 73 points. It took six of them.
I meant brother combo but touche 😉
Rocket and Henri Richard played together with one winning 8 and the other winning 11 Stanley Cups, not too shabby.
I think 3 brothers on the same line and all 3 getting a point on a goal has only happened once with the Bentley Brothers – Max, Doug and Reg
https://www.nhl.com/news/bentley-brothers-made-nhl-history-in-1943-339449512
Peter, Anton and Marian played on the same line for the Nordique in 1981-82 Seasons.
This was a fun dive into history.
In regards to Spectors notes about finding centers, the trades for JTMiller and Cozens and Norris were close to first line centers.And Colorado trading for Nelson was also a swap of an good center.Without naming a list there are probably 10 first line centers in the league.I find it harder to find goalies and no. 1 Defensemen!