NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2025
The latest on Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, plus updates on Kings center Phillip Danault, Ducks center Ryan Strome, Maple Leafs winger Matias Maccelli, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
QUINN HUGHES TRADE RUMORS HEATING UP
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports that trade talks involving Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes have started. The club has set a very high asking price for the 26-year-old superstar defenseman.
Friedman believes a “young, impactful center” is very important to the Canucks. He believes a deal isn’t impossible without one, “but it will require something special to offset that desire.
Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).
Multiple sources said that there was no truth to rumors that Hughes informed Canucks management last summer that he wouldn’t sign a contract extension. Friedman believes the Canucks could wait until the draft next June to move Hughes if they can’t find a suitable deal before the March trade deadline.
Hughes lacks no-trade protection, and the Canucks have indicated they would be prepared to move him to any team. It’s believed Hughes would prefer playing in the East, but they could ship him to a Western club for the right price. Friedman thinks the Capitals would be open to taking on Hughes for the remainder of his contract, depending on the price.
Friedman also pointed out that nothing’s stopping the Canucks from attempting to re-sign Hughes next July to an eight-year extension. He believes that would mean Hughes would be invested for a few more seasons, with the understanding that he could be traded if he doesn’t like what he sees from the Canucks by then.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Talks being underway could mean teams are calling the Canucks about what it would cost to acquire Hughes, and the Canucks are obliging them by seeking what one executive told Friedman was an “outrageous” return. They may not be at the stage yet where they’re swapping offers. Nevertheless, there’s a growing sense that this season could be Hughes’ last in Vancouver.
Trading a big star during the season isn’t impossible. Winger Mikko Rantanen was moved by the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes within six weeks before last season’s deadline.
However, Hughes is a Norris Trophy defenseman in his prime. The Canucks want a much bigger return than what the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes received for Rantanen.
Draft picks and prospects will be part of the deal, but the Canucks will also want a good young NHL player or two. Some teams could risk weakening their roster depth to get Hughes. Others could be leery about gutting their prospect pools.
Salary cap space is another significant factor. Hughes’ $7.85 million cap hit through 2026-27 is a bargain for a player of his caliber, but it’s still not easy for some teams to absorb. If they plan on signing him to an extension, it could eat up at least $18 million annually.
Friedman believes the New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, and Washington Capitals could be among the suitors. He doesn’t see a trade match with the New York Rangers. The Philadelphia Flyers lack a center, but Friedman wondered what else they might come up with. He claimed sources dismissed the notion of the Pittsburgh Penguins getting involved. The Utah Mammoth have plenty of draft picks and prospects to make a competitive offer. Friedman doesn’t rule out the Carolina Hurricanes looking into this.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman reported last Saturday that the Devils had asked the Canucks about Hughes. The Red Wings are being mentioned partly because Hughes played his formative hockey years in Michigan, plus they have the cap space and plentiful trade assets to pull this off if they want to.
Capitals beat writer Sammi Silber of The Hockey News doesn’t doubt the Capitals may have done due diligence, but she doesn’t think there’s a trade to be made here. Silber doesn’t see them parting with any of their top players for Hughes, especially for a short-term tenure. The asking price could cost them rookie forward Ryan Leonard and prospect defenseman Cole Hutson. Meanwhile, they made a long-term investment in Jakob Chychrun, who handles the left-side top-pairing role on their blueline.
As for the Flyers, winger Owen Tippett has come up in trade rumors this season, but he’s not going to offset the Canucks’ desire for a young, impactful center. The Hurricanes could try, but their big swings tend to be for scoring centers, and they’ve got Jaccob Slavin filling the first-pairing left-side defense role.
The Mammoth have the draft picks and prospects, and their recent struggles following their hot start could have them looking to shake things up. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely they’d want Hughes if he’s unwilling to commit beyond 2027.
Meanwhile, RG.Org’s James Murphy also reported the Penguins aren’t expected to be among the bidders for Hughes. He also ruled out the Boston Bruins as a suitor. According to Murphy, the Penguins are sticking to their rebuild timeline, while the Bruins’ focus is on adding a scoring forward.
OTHER RUMOR TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” COLUMN
SPORTSNET: Friedman said several sources claim the Los Angeles Kings aren’t interested in trading struggling center Phillip Danault without a very good reason, since centers are difficult to find.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL insider Frank Seravalli claimed the Montreal Canadiens were among the clubs sniffing around Danault. He believes the 32-year-old center could be moved before the Dec. 20 roster freeze. Despite Danault’s offensive difficulties this season, the Kings aren’t likely to move him while they’re still in the playoff chase.
Teams interested in a center are watching Ryan Strome of the Anaheim Ducks. He had a delayed start to the season and has been in and out of the lineup.
Other forwards struggling for playing time to watch include Maxim Tsyplakov of the New York Islanders and Matias Maccelli of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Several teams were interested in Mason Marchment last summer before he was traded to the Seattle Kraken. Friedman suggested they might want to keep an eye on him, though he doesn’t expect anything to happen until Jaden Schwartz returns from injury.
This trade should get done asap…you have an elite Defenseman that lacks trade protection and has this year plus next left. At absolute worst case he is a two year rental and will eat 25 minutes a game. He isnt signing,both parties know that, move on.
Waiting won’t get you more and you run the risk of injury.
Jarry to Oil I hear, supposedly happened. Friedman and Kypreos.
New report today. Oilers sending Skinner and another player to Pens for Jarry.
Q Hughes, 18 mil per? Is that a misprint? Ooof. I wouldn’t count out Rangers. At the least, they could drive up price on Devils. Drury’s window closing fast. Needs to do something.
Can the Rangers get Quinn without losing Schneider
Laffy Othman Soucy and a 1st top 8 protected 2026 and 2027 2nd get it he convo started?
I hate Crosby
I think Schneider safe until Fox is back. Spucy at 50% retention and maybe have to throw Laba in deal. Instead of Schneider. I’d offer 2firsts
I am happy with the trades for the Oil. Kulak’s play this year has been abysmal. I hope he returns to regular form for the pens as he was a valuable player for us over the previous seasons and if he does, will add good value for the pens.
Skinner needed to go. I think with the continued inconsistencies shown this year there was no way he was going to be re signed unless they win the cup and even then. And was he even interested as he faced death threats at times. So why not take a shot at someone else this season and if it works out. Great. If it doesnt, try again.
Dont know much about Spencer Stastny who they picked up from the preds.
I like the trades this morning as well. Although it sucks to see Skinner go. I do like the guy, but this change needed to happen.
The only thing that I have heard about Spencer Stastny is that he’s good on his skates and he is fast.
Fast is good. Now hoping the Oil give Pickard the start against the leafs and save Jarry for the habs game which I will be attending lol.
I don’t like the trade.
Overpaid for a minor upgrade in net, and I’m not sure it’s even an upgrade.
Seems like a panic move to me, or bowing to a fan base that is complaining.
Don’t get me wrong I get upgrading the tending, but the question has always been with who, and how much. Who isn’t much better, and it was too much IMO.
Now if Pickard went the other way, then OK, but the $ didn’t work. So, I simply would have passed. Jarry’s and Skinner’s career #’s are remarkably similar.
Hey if it works out great, I’m not some goalie whisperer. Seems like change for the sake of change, OK fine, but doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. We’re gonna find once Jarry gets settled in after 10 games or so.
Think of it this way, Ray: Montembeault could have come your way.
That’s a bit of a cheap shot, but I’m sure you get my frustration.
But I do hope it works for the Oil. I have a soft spot for McDavid.
The way I look at it is Jarry hasn’t played behind one of the best defensive teams the past few years unlike Skinner.
The advanced stats the past 3 seasons 5on5.
Jarry 101 GP, HDSV% 0.815, HDGSAA -1.23
Skinner 133 GP, HDSV% .799, HDGSAA -12.25
KevJam, the Oil haven’t been one of the best defensive teams this year, they been bad actually. Just like they were bad before Christmas last year. They have been out chanced by quite a bit, including the dangerous variety. Pit has been good in that regard, and Jarry’s #’s reflect that. Last year the opposite was true and Jarry’s #’s reflected that.
Yes, they turn it around about this part of the season each year, and then Stew’s numbers improve as well. Just like Jarry’s.
I’m not anti Jarry, he won a Memorial Cup with the Oil Kings. I just think he is about the same quality as Skinner, and the Oil paid a price to get him, including his cap hit.
Kulak has also been great in each of the past 2 playoffs, and he’s gone. A vet who can skate and is calm under pressure. He ain’t the only D who has struggled this year, and he would have likely got it turned around too. They’ll miss him IMO.
We’ll see, and I hope I’m wrong.
Couple things about the trade this morning:
It was done early enough that the Oilers get a chance to see if Jarry fits with the team. They have 7 games in the next 12 days (including a game against the Pens). This can be an interview type timeline. If things don’t go as well as they hoped, then they can try and find a trade partner before the deadline. They would also have a goaltender to trade that might be closer to what they are trading for salary cap wise.
Let’s say that Skinner had stayed and they finally won the Cup this year. What do you think his agent would ask for a contract? A goalie that had been to 3 straight finals and coming off a win. Would anyone in Oil Country be happy paying him north of $5M per for an extension? I know I wouldn’t for his inconsistency.
The best fit for Hughes and Vancouver, discounting NJ, would be Anaheim. They have both the prospects, players, cap space and are moving into playoffs/contender status. McTavish, Mintykov, first rounder and a prospect could make it work and they would surely make a tough out in the playoffs.
Seems I was shot down for saying just that……
With Jary’s injury problems I think they may have put themselves in a worse position. The optimal solution would having both Jary and Skinner. I don’t see this working out for the Oilers.
Exactly! The Oil may have gotten a slight upgrade but Jarry’s salary (over twice that of Skinner’s) and extra 2 years of the contract over Skinners, and Jarry being injury prone makes this a rather dubious swap for the Oil.
Skinner should do better with getting out of that very harsh spotlight in Edmonton.
I wonder if Skinner gets played for a few games and then gets flipped to Montreal for picks. Pens have a lot of good young goalies to give a chance to.
How about this for a doozie? Sabres are in never ending doom loop of their own making. Horrible culture and have never supported young players properly with good veterans. Doan and Zucker nice adds in last two years. Here goes:
Vancouver gets Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Noah Ostlund and figure out maybe one more piece.
Buffalo gets Quinn Hughes, Tom Willander and Kiefer Sherwood.
Money probably doesn’t work for Van because they’re eating $20M in bad contracts with Dahlin/Power. Buffalo won’t convince Hughes to stay, but can flip him for assets that actually have tangible use instead of for guys like Krebs and Levi. Two useless linchpins of deals for Eichel and Reinhart. Sign Sherwod, because team needs about five of gia type of guy.
Thoughts?
Eagle, for just the reasons you state, Hughes would at the most stay until the end of his current contract. Thus Buffalo gives up two quality D for 1.5 years of a disgruntled Hughes who by himself would not change the dynamic in Buffalo.
And Buffalo would know this.
Teams in the East should be going after Hughes. A number 1 defensemen at 25 minutes a night is invaluable. Probably the most important player on a team. Even if it’s for 2 years,if he s in a good situation he might stay where he is traded and bring his brothers along with him.Lyle great reporting on all the injuries each day. Hope the players see this and Don t get into the condensed schedule again. Just not enough time to recover between games.
Wasn’t Jarry sent to the minors last year twice and not claimed ?? In any direction
Ex Oil King but agree not a big upgrade in my opinion . Maybe Poulin shines as a first rounder but he is 24 already.
I think similar to a Marner situation. Needed to get out of town .
By the way defence is a team thing and the Oil were 9 th worse at high danger opportunities and next to last in team SV%
Good luck to the NYI trying to find a taker for Maxim Tsyplakov. Never drafted, he’s a 27y/o listed as a left-shot RW and 6’ 3” 205 lbs. He had a fairly decent debut season last year with 10g 25a 35pts and a +4 in 77gp, but so far this season he has 1g and is a -6 in 20gp. And he costs $2.5 mil off the cap this season and next, after which he is a UFA. Can’t see any team that would want to gamble on that.
The Leafs probably won’t have any better luck in dealing Mattias Maccelli, a left-shot LW who turned 25 in October. A 4th round pick (98th overall) by Arizona in 2019, he’s listed at 5’11” 185lbs. In 224 gp with Arizona/Utah he has 37g 93a 130pts for 82-game averages of 14g 35a 49pts. They say he’s struggling with ice-time so far this season, but in 22gp he has 4g 5a 9pts – ostensibly in much-reduced ice-time – which puts him in line for a season of 15g 19a 34pts. The kicker is, he costs $3,425,000 per off the cap this season, following which he’s a RFA. Not sure there are many teams – if any – who’d want to fork over close to $3.5 mil cap for that.
The Leafs got Maccelli from Utah in June for a conditional 3rd-round pick that will become a 2nd-rounder if the Leafs make this season’s playoffs, OR if Maccelli pots 51 pts this season.
George, Puckpedia has the 2nd round pick conditions as AND conditions, not OR conditions. Which makes sense. Why would the Leafs trade a 2nd round pick for a player who does not contribute much to the team’s success.
Thanks for the clarificationHammer_of_the_Gods. A misread on my part
Jarry 8 career playoff games.
Skinner finals twice
This trade has a lot of risk associated.
But not for the Pens . The can flip both assets at the trade deadline if they choose . Both pending UFA
Sieve for sieve deal. Both pylons.
No upgrade for either franchise.
Welp. No more Hughes rumors.
For now…😉
Hah. For sure,
It’ll start up again as soon as he rejects their earliest offers to get him signed to an extension.