|
Chris on the Devils…Why Quinn Hughes Ends Up in NJ |
|
|
|
|
|
Hughes Heard It Here First: With Canucks Closer To Collapse Than Cup, Can Quinn Complete The Natural (Hughes) Hat Trick For New Jersey?
The saying, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop,” has never rang more true than right now. With an abnormally long, mid-winter break from New Jersey Devils hockey, my brain and heart have begun to envision what General Manager Tom Fitzgerald could have going on in his own Devils workshop. Call it a dream or a manifestation if you will, but there’s some logic, maybe even more than some logic, behind this one.
So here goes, at the absolute latest, Quinn Hughes will be a New Jersey Devil by the beginning of the 2027 NHL regular season.
Hey! Don’t scoff at me! At least read my list of reasons below on why he will, as well as why he will not, be a Devil in the near future, before you laugh me off.
Reasons Why Quinn Hughes Will Be A Devil:
Obviously, His Brothers
The Hughes boys are as tight as tight can be when it comes to their family. If you have any doubts, rewatch the video of the family draft party on the night that Luke was picked by NJ. All three brothers playing on the same team, and in the NHL no less, would have to be an absolute dream for the boys, their friends and family, and of course the NHL’s PR and Marketing team.
Travel
Living in Jersey means less travel for both Quinn and the Hughes’ parents, Jim and Ellen.
Quinn’s career, will be way less grueling playing in the northeast. Traveling significantly less with New Jersey’s schedule as opposed to that of a Western Canadian team. A bulk of the Devils schedule consists of very short flights or even bus rides in which players are back home in their own beds by 1am or so. A huge benefit when it comes to a players recovery which not possible when playing so far in the North West. In addition, Jim and Ellen could visit all three sons at once cutting down drastically on their sky time.
Winning in Vancouver?
While Vancouver does stay competitive, do they really ever go all in? We’ve seen way more top players be shipped out than shipped in recent years for the Canucks. In the last two seasons we’ve seen JT Miller and Bo Horvat be sent away with no clear replacement. Two other star players have had trade whispers around their names this season in Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson.
In his now seventh year with the club, Quinn and the Canucks have made the playoffs just two times, losing in the second round in each postseason endeavor. Just last season was the most successful campaign for Vancouver in Hughes’ tenure. The team finished in first place in the Pacific Division losing to the eventual cup runner up, Edmonton Oilers in the second round in the Western Conference semi-finals. However, a lot of difference a year makes. With locker room turmoil leading to the departure of last season’s leading scorer in JT Miller, the middling Canucks find themselves clinging to the 8th and final playoff spot at the Four Nations break.
While GM Patrik Allvin does successfully collect Petterssons like Pokémon (they have three by the surname; Elias Pettersson, Elias Pettersson, and Marcus Pettersson- and no I did not make an error. There are two Elias Petterssons in this Vancouver system), I’m not sure that, coupled with a 21st ranked prospect pool, is enough to convince the eldest Hughes to stick around.
Canucks Locker Room
There’s no doubt captaining this 24-25 Vancouver team has taken a mental toll on Quinn. While he will do his best not to let it bother him, the level of toxicity in the room that forced the Canucks trade their 100 point scoring star in JT Miller(who is in the first year of a new 8 year deal) is not one that can be easily fixed. Miller was known at times to bully, young phenom, Elias Pettersson. Leaving the locker room and management divided. There’s not enough sage to clear that vibe. While Miller is gone, at least some of the negative aura must remain.
Winning in New Jersey
Although the Devils have not been as successful since Quinn’s entry into the NHL, they have used those poor performances very strategically. With an overflow of young, mostly NHL/NHL ready, top end talent, the window has just opened in Jersey. With a youthful organizational core of Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, Timo Meier(he’s 28, still young to me) Dawson Mercer, Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey and Tom Fitzgerald’s eagerness to improve the team, Quinn would be in a much better position for both personal and team success with the Devils.
We Have The Assets To Trade If The Opportunity Arises
If you’re Vancouver, trading a top tier D-man, you most likely would be looking for some solid value in return. Between Luke Hughes (not going anywhere), Dougie Hamilton, Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey, the Devils realistically only have room for three of these less physical, more offensive minded defenders. A package of prospects, picks and/or one or even two of the aforementioned would be likely to get a deal done. The asking price may even come down a bit as Quinn is likely to make it known if traded elsewhere, he will not re-sign, miking him merely a rental to all other teams.
The Cap & Team Friendly Deal
Due to the recent success of the league, the NHL has announced that the salary cap is expected to jump up to $113 million by the 27-28 campaign. That is a monstrous $21 million increase from today. A massive jump that will leave more than enough room for the acquisition.
A player of Quinn Hughes’ caliber, who will turn 28, a week or so into 27-28 season should demand a major pay day. While the Devils should spend whatever it will take to sign or even re-sign (if he’s traded for before 2027), they may not have to break the bank quite as much as their competitors. With both brothers already in the organization, and the Hughes family’s desire to play together for the strongest possible team, perhaps Quinn and maybe all three brothers, take their next contracts at a slight discount.
Now we’re cooking with gas, aren’t we!?
When It Comes To Family Decisions, The Hockey Gods Owe New Jersey
Brian Rafalski left as a free agent to go home to Michigan.
Zach Parise left as a free agent to go home to Minnesota.
Ilya Kovalchuk ripped out our hearts and our Stanley Cup aspirations, to go home to Russia.
Finally and worst of all, Scott Niedermayer left us to go join his brother in Anaheim.
With the retirement of Scott Stevens, Niedermayer surely becomes the next Captain, and helps us chase a few more cups with that core. Instead he leaves. Winning a cup as the Ducks captain, and making mother Carrol Niedermayer’s wish come true.
Well guess what!? Jim and Ellen Hughes, and I, Chris Shaleesh; we have wishes too. You owe us hockey Gods, and Devils fans are here to collect!
Reasons Why Quinn Hughes Won’t Be A Devil
(None)
Hey Siri, play “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen.
Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»