32 Thoughts: Everything we learn about Quinn Hughes and the Canucks

• Devils attempting to get enterprise performed
• Why the cap is not prone to rise greater than projected
• Fate of the Olympics is with the gamers

Let’s open with a number of ideas on Quinn Hughes. Everything I believe I do know and admissions on what I don’t.

WE’RE HERE SOONER THAN EXPECTED

Back on the NHL/NHLPA media tour in Vegas, Hughes deflected questions on his future, stating his sole concern was getting off to begin. Everyone — together with each Hughes and the Canucks — thought we’d see how this season went, and go from there. Unfortunately, the Canucks aren’t anyplace close to the place they hoped, and just lately let groups know they have been prepared to debate their veterans. 

That wasn’t purported to be about Hughes, however, as Brian Burke stated in 2005 after not realizing Joe Thornton’s availability till too late: should you snooze, you lose. So they requested. Rutherford’s popularity for transferring early put different GMs on alert. Plus, you don’t need to transfer your finest belongings elsewhere if Hughes is what you crave.

Before they have been actually ready to, the Canucks needed to take into account an acquisition value. And, Hughes needed to wrap his head across the truth he won’t end the season within the Lower Mainland. There have been rumours Hughes knowledgeable the Canucks final summer time he wouldn’t re-sign, however this has been ferociously denied by a number of sources. I don’t suppose he was anticipating this when the puck dropped in October. 

This is what I’m least sure about. Vancouver has to get this proper. I’ve heard the ask could be very excessive, appropriately. One exec advised me it’s “outrageous.” I replied, “Probably not outrageous enough.” He laughed. 

A younger, impactful centre is essential to them. A deal will not be inconceivable with out one, however it’s going to require one thing particular to offset that need. I received a number of notes questioning if Detroit was “hiding” Marco Kasper Monday in Vancouver as a winger, however, as a lefty, he splits faceoffs with righty Nate Danielson, relying on the place it’s. That recreation, he took six and Danielson 4.

Not inconceivable they wait till the draft, preferring no deal than a foul deal. But all of this noise exists for a cause. Talks are underway.

I at all times consider there are groups I don’t see. This is Quinn Hughes, for God’s sake. Who wouldn’t need him? 

New Jersey is apparent. I’ve been on Detroit for some time. Washington is round, however I don’t suppose the Canucks can snare the Capitals’ finest younger gamers. I do know there’ve been recommendations in regards to the Rangers, however I don’t see the commerce match. Philadelphia doesn’t have the centre, so what else can the Flyers provide you with? I discussed Pittsburgh, however a number of sources pooh-poohed this brainstorm.

Team I at all times assume tries: Carolina.

This, nevertheless, ignores the whole Western Conference. You know who has loads of picks and prospects? Utah. Which brings us to…

HOW MUCH SAY DOES HUGHES HAVE?

This is a multi-layered query. 

Hughes doesn’t have no-trade or no-move safety. Therefore, the Canucks can commerce him anyplace they need, and have indicated they’re ready to do exactly that. While it’s believed Hughes prefers East long-term, the Canucks might ship him West if a kind of groups stepped up and took an opportunity. 

Of course, there’s no tampering within the NHL, however you might be sure any touchdown spot will need an concept if it appeals to the 2024 Norris Trophy winner. A couple of groups consider Washington, relying on the value, would take into account a two-year keep, as a result of there’d be one thing very particular about one other Stanley Cup run whereas Alexander Ovechkin stays a Capital. 

Again, I at all times ask myself what I don’t see. 

There’s one possibility we haven’t thought-about: the Canucks can’t lengthen Hughes till July 1, however nothing prevents them from speaking to him. They might promise eight years at a monster quantity. It would require Hughes committing for a number of extra seasons, with the understanding that if he doesn’t like what he sees at a sure level, he could be moved. 

On Sept. 15, 2026, new CBA contract guidelines kick-in, with most time period dropping to seven years and tighter limits on bonus funds. You’d suppose, if Hughes is traded, he’d get an extension earlier than then, nevertheless it’s not assured. And, if Vancouver holds him into subsequent yr, he won’t get one till the foundations change. 

My solely query is that if this could work. Hughes won’t get what the Canucks are prepared to do someplace else, however he’s nonetheless going to be handsomely paid. If he doesn’t consider in what’s round him, I don’t see this working.

A number of variables, little question. Which path is admittedly the Canucks’ selection.

1. Best quote from the Board of Governors: Was speaking with an government about how shut the standings are. I stated there was a joke about long-time NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle wanting pure parity, each workforce at 8-8. “We don’t have parity,” the governor stated, deadpan. “We have Gar-ity,” a nod to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. I’m nonetheless laughing. 

2. On the Devils: they’re legitimately attempting to get enterprise performed, however so as to add, they need to subtract. If the workforce they’re buying and selling with isn’t prepared to take again wage, they have to discover different choices — which they’re attempting to do. There are a number of no-trade or modified no-trade clauses, more durable to string the needle. That’s why I consider issues received out, they’ve palms in a number of completely different locations. (And all the perfect to Timo Meier, away for household causes.)

3. In addition to Tristan Jarry, I consider the Oilers poked round Alex Lyon. Not as severely as Jarry, nevertheless it was there. One factor I ought to have talked about final Saturday about Jarry, along with Pittsburgh’s unwillingness to eat wage, is that the Penguins’ shock addition to the Eastern Conference race offers them much less motivation for an in-season sale. Not inconceivable, however not as excessive a precedence. 

4. Also with Pittsburgh: the Hoffman household’s unique window to buy the Penguins has expired. Doesn’t imply the sale can’t (or received’t) occur — I’ve heard they’re nonetheless pushing to shut — however the course of is as soon as once more open to different bids. 

5. I had a number of sources point out Los Angeles will not be inclined to deal Phillip Danault with out superb cause, as a result of it’s so laborious to seek out centres. No matter his present struggles now, he’s been superb for the Kings within the playoffs, regardless of their lack of ability to climb the Edmonton mountain. 

6. Those in search of a intermediary are conserving a more in-depth watch on Anaheim’s Ryan Strome. Delayed begin to the season, in-and-out of the lineup. Ducks surging, is there a spot for him? If not, there can be curiosity. 

7. Some different names to keep watch over as they combat for lineup time: Maxim Tsyplakov (Islanders) and Matias Maccelli (Toronto). I’m stunned at Tsyplakov, I believe there’s participant there. He had a powerful NHL debut in 2024-25, however struggled to start out this yr and was squeezed out of the now-deeper Long Island lineup. Thankfully, Patrick Roy stated Bo Horvat’s harm isn’t severe, so there could also be a brief window for Tsyplakov re-establish himself, however I heard different groups are poking round.

Maccelli, sadly, hasn’t been a match for the Maple Leafs. I don’t consider they have been the one workforce who checked out him in the summertime, so a few of these golf equipment might circle again. 

8. It in all probability received’t occur till Jaden Schwartz returns, however keep watch over Seattle’s Mason Marchment. He’s one other one who had a number of pursuers that might re-visit buying and selling for him. 

9. It’s very clear now the destiny of the highly-anticipated, long-awaited 2026 Olympic males’s hockey match is with the gamers. As Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stated Monday, “If players feel the ice is unsafe, then we’re not going to play.”

We know this: if the occasion was being performed on a floor made from pancakes and syrup, the gamers would shrug and compete pedal to metallic. The Olympics matter to them. They fought for it on this CBA, extra of a precedence to them than many monetary points. And, everyone knows what bodily punishment they’ll ignore in video games of high-consequence.

This complete state of affairs reminds of the 2003 Montreal/Edmonton Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium. It was so chilly and the ice so brittle that the late Bob Goodenow advised the gamers that they had the choice to not play. Led by captains Saku Koivu and Jason Smith, the 2 groups felt cancellation was not an possibility and agreed to make it a no-hitter. The present was so profitable that out of doors video games are a yearly occasion.

The most attention-grabbing voice can be NHLPA assistant Executive Director Ron Hainsey, who stated final weekend that “the health and safety of our players while playing on any ice surface will not be compromised.” During his 1,132 NHL video games, Hainsey fought laborious for participant rights, so if he will get to Milan and thinks the ice is harmful…we’ve received a major problem. But, listening to Daly say what he did satisfied me greater than ever solely a completely epic screwup of historic proportions will forestall this match from occurring — as a result of the gamers will make it work. 

10. My angle there can be: it doesn’t matter what occurs, I’m going to take pleasure in it. That stated, you’ll be able to really feel the frustration, concern, and anger among the many league/governors, who really feel they got extra empty guarantees than a mother or father asking a youngster to scrub their room. What’s occurred is “laughable, but not funny,” one stated. Even those that help NHL participation “because of the big picture” are shaking their heads.

Then-Ottawa GM John Muckler at all times felt Dominik Hasek’s 2006 Turin harm value the Senators the Stanley Cup. The Islanders have been livid at John Tavares’ 2014 damaged leg. The development delays enhance their worries of a 2026 model ruining this season. Part of the deal the NHL made with the International Olympic Committee was that workforce homeowners acquired tickets and entry to the video games. Daly stated Monday the league additionally realized that Hockey House — for hospitality — received’t exist in any respect. It’s a smaller factor, however a part of the general annoyance. Hopefully, on Feb. 22, when the gold medals are awarded, we’re celebrating such an outstanding match we are going to giggle at how involved we have been. 

11. Teams definitely sound like they don’t need the cap raised from the focused $104M in 2026-27. If revenues proceed on the present tempo (Bettman stated between $6.8-$6.9B in US {dollars}), there could be room to rise. But, now it seems they might fairly ship a “top-up” cost to the gamers (to make sure the income cut up is 50/50) fairly than elevate the cap. That’s new, nevertheless it reveals how a lot they’re cautious of the rapidly-rising ceiling — even with new revenue-sharing guidelines to assist the middle-class.

12. Okay, now we arrive at hand-pass craziness, which has solely gotten worse this week. I’m very impressed the Situation Room remembered a 2024 Yegor Sharangovich rating as precedent for why the puck hitting Brad Marchand’s glove shouldn’t erase the objective that began Florida’s 7-6 comeback in opposition to Columbus. But, it’s not proper the Blue Jackets have been penalized.

Two days after the Lightning’s tying objective in opposition to Pittsburgh was erased, how might Dean Evason not problem? Is it affordable for him to recollect one thing from 13 months in the past? Within 10 seconds of Florida’s objective being dominated good, one GM texted, “Let’s see you explain this one.” In equity, there are some who felt that if the puck deflects backwards, that’s not a hand-pass. Anyways, I believe replay guidelines must be amended, and a unsuitable problem in your first try shouldn’t be penalty. There are too many inconsistencies, too many performs — particularly goaltender interference — that look comparable and are dominated in a different way. You get one freebie. Second miss (and on from there), bench minor.

Some coaches really feel very strongly there must be no penalty ever, that it ought to merely be about getting it proper, however, then replay will get used as a tactic, an additional timeout to sluggish opponent momentum. That’s terrible to observe, too. But too many individuals who watch an excessive amount of hockey can not differentiate between too comparable performs. Maybe that’s life in a judgement-call world, however I don’t really feel anymore it must be an computerized penalty on first offence. 

13. As for hand-passes themselves, there needs to be a greater approach to outline them. Montreal’s profitable objective in Buffalo on Remembrance Day 2024 counted as a result of the puck hit Mike Matheson’s glove when he was reaching along with his stick. He wasn’t attempting to make use of his hand, it simply hit him there. Maybe it’s that easy: should you attempt to play the puck, it’s no objective regardless of the place it goes.

The nice Lou Nanne recommended permitting gamers to make use of their palms in every single place, because it’s already allowed within the defensive zone. I’m not as loopy about that concept. I’d really want no hand passes anyplace, however was reminded the league would fairly not have extra whistles blowing play useless when defenders do that below strain — as a result of they’ll.

14. As promised, the NHL did warn groups about gamers not carrying helmets as mandated for pregame warmups. (Exemptions: gamers within the league earlier than 2019-20 and rookie laps.) Clubs have been notified of $25,000 fines to both them or the pinnacle coach for a primary offence, rising “exponentially for each successive violation.”

15. The NHL stated it might announce 2028 World Cup venues someday after the Olympics. Vegas was one of many bidders. It makes loads of sense for what the league and NHLPA are going for. Biggest problem: up to now, they’ve stated they don’t like a Western North American location when groups are coming from Europe for the ultimate rounds. Really lengthy journey. Extra few hours. 

16. Idea which will make sense to solely me: Canada names Adin Hill to its preliminary Olympic roster. Hill’s earliest return date was Christmas, which is unlikely. So they identify him, and substitute him with another person who steps up — or continues to play properly — in January. Maybe Hill comes again and retains the job himself. Of course, Canada might simply identify Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson straight away. 

17. Went to Washington on Wednesday to do a bit on Tom Wilson’s bid for a Team Canada berth. Boy, are his teammates and the Capitals group lining up in help of him. Whenever we enter a post-Ovechkin world, superb probability Wilson is the Capitals’ subsequent captain. His brother Jamie is a large Blue Jays fan. After they misplaced the World Series, Tom texted condolences. Jamie didn’t reply for days. Many Canadians can determine with that. 

18. John Carlson — and not using a second of pause — destroyed any rumours about retiring. “No chance.”

19. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis, requested if he’d referred to as Jon Cooper on behalf of Nick Suzuki: “I pleaded my case in the summer.”

20. Teammate Luke Gazdic did a section on a latest Canadiens broadcast praising Cole Caufield as a result of he doesn’t stick-handle a ton. “Catch and release. Trusts the puck,” Luke stated. Asked about that final weekend, St. Louis stated he thinks many younger gamers “stickhandle too much.” He prefers lacrosse-style, at all times in place to shoot. He additionally pointed to Nikita Kucherov, saying he’s at all times received his stick in a spot the place it’s harmful.

21. Toronto promised to be very cautious with Joseph Woll, and Dennis Hildeby’s robust efficiency gave them room to breathe. He might play as quickly as this weekend, and if not, early subsequent week. But they received’t push him too laborious as he returns, once more.

22. Have talked about a number of instances now that the NHL desires to extend its footprint into Germany. Edmonton (Leon Draisaitl) vs. Ottawa (Tim Stutzle) makes an excessive amount of sense to not occur. In his Board of Governors interview with Kyle Bukauskas, Senators proprietor Michael Andlauer certain made it sound like that’s as inevitable as Thanos.

23. For record-keeping functions, share of groups to make the playoffs who held a spot on American Thanksgiving, post-COVID; 75 per cent in 2021-22, 2023-24 and 2024-25; 81.3 per cent in 2022-23. 

24. Another be aware about how shut NHL video games are: a few weeks in the past, a pal did a calculation of what each workforce’s file would seem like if we nonetheless had ties. The NHL file is 24, set by the 1969-70 Flyers. He discovered 11 groups en route to interrupt it, and 11 extra “just off the pace.”  

25. Through Wednesday, Sidney Crosby is on-pace for 51 objectives. Now 38, he has an opportunity to interrupt Alexander Ovechkin’s file because the NHL’s oldest 50-goal scorer. The Great Eight was virtually 37 when he did it in 2021-22.

26. As I write this Thursday night time, Nathan MacKinnon is plus-38. Only one participant since 1986-87 has reached the Top-50 for a single-season plus/minus in NHL historical past. That’s Johnny Gaudreau, plus-64 in 2021-22, tied for forty fifth place. Brad Park (1971-72), Al Sims (1973-74), Mike Bossy (1978-79) and Brian Engblom (1980-81, higher broadcaster than a defenceman) are in a four-way tie for forty seventh at plus-63. MacKinnon has a shot at that extraordinarily uncommon air. Bobby Orr holds the file, a ridiculous plus-124 in 1970-71.

27. I’ve had a number of debates about Mark Stone’s Olympic candidacy, primarily due to the accidents. The smaller ice makes him extra of a lock for me. Plus, he’s received 24 factors in 14 video games. He leads the NHL in points-per-game at 1.71, barely forward of MacKinnon.

28. Some good podcast Thoughtline assist this week. One listener requested if the Olympic break counted in the direction of the 75 days crucial between trades, permitting a participant’s contract to be eligible for double-retention. We checked with the NHL, and have been advised the reply is sure. Anyone moved earlier than the Dec. 20 Christmas freeze can have retention a second time. If that pause within the schedule didn’t rely, nobody traded now would qualify. 

29. Detroit’s 1-0 objective final Saturday in Seattle was Emmitt Finnie from Nate Danielson and Axel Sandin-Pellika. Several Red Wings followers requested if that was the primary time in NHL historical past three gamers from the identical draft mixed for a objective of their Rookie season. Great query. Shockingly, it was the tenth. (I might have guessed it occurred, like, 3 times.) The final was Dec. 13, 2006 in a recreation Philadelphia misplaced 8-4 to Pittsburgh: Ryan Potulny from Stefan Ruzicka and Alexandre Picard.

30. The glorious Florida broadcaster, Steve Goldstein, has a son, Jake, who spent 4 years as a workforce supervisor for Western Michigan’s hockey program. He then went to grad faculty at St. Thomas University in Miami, which determined to start out a hockey program on the membership stage. They will play out of the Panthers’ observe facility and Jake is operating issues. If you’re keen on taking part in, electronic mail him at JGoldstein@stu.edu. I’m at all times completely happy to unfold the hockey gospel and why not play the place you will get a tan?

31. Shoutout to Eli Pulver from Vancouver, the backup to Daniel Hauser at NCAA Wisconsin. An previous pal’s son, Eli beat then-No. 1 Michigan State 5-4 and 2-1 on back-to-back nights in his first profession begins on the finish of November. 

32. When I left the Fan in 1997, Eric Smith took over from me on the Raptors beat. He did a far superior job than me, for certain, and has now written an awesome ebook We The Raptors about 30 of the gamers he’s lined all through the workforce’s 30-year historical past. He has an awesome story in there about Doug Christie’s daughter wanting Michael Jordan’s autograph after Toronto beat the Bulls, and he initially says no, as a result of Pat Riley taught him that’s not what you do. Of course, Christie relents, as a result of it’s his daughter. We’re all suckers for our youngsters.