Proposal: Vancouver blowing it up!

[Benstheman]

While the Habs would certainly be in the market for a 2C, I don't think EP is what they'll be looking for due to his large salary and big asking price from Van.

Don't think he would cost that much to acquire. IT just depends on if Van accept to retain a bit.

 

[Peter Griffin]

You are correct, he would. However teams will be scared off by Rutherford telling the world his heart is in NJ

Two years of a Norris trophy contender is worth a lot.

 

[Power Surge]

Two years of a Norris trophy contender is worth a lot.

Two years as a rental now I get what you mean..I agree.

But somehow I feel like he will force his way to NJ this summer. I could certainly be wrong but that's what I think.

 

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

EP40 is a basket case at this point.

He will not fetch as much as Nucks think.

There is no way EP is traded without retention.

Laine + Kapanen or Beck + Mailloux or Engstrom + 1st in 2025
For
EP40 with 2.6 million retained (approx 24%).

Not happy with that? Oh well!

 

[Peter Griffin]

Two years as a rental now I get what you mean..I agree.

But somehow I feel like he will force his way to NJ this summer. I could certainly be wrong but that's what I think.

I actually think old man Rutherford was talking completely out of context when he said “he’s said before he wants to play with his brothers”, he was talking about at the 4 nations’ cup, not that he’s already approached the team saying he wants out. But it IS a possibility.

That said, if New Jersey wants him this offseason, pay up.

 

[Fatass]

Two years as a rental now I get what you mean..I agree.

But somehow I feel like he will force his way to NJ this summer. I could certainly be wrong but that's what I think.

Or the other two brothers force their way west. These are players who grew up in the rabid Toronto hockey market. Maybe they all three want to play in such a market? Which is closer to TO for hockey, Van or Jersey?
The insanity though is the cost of acquiring these guys. Quinn would cost a crazy amount right now and Jack and Luke even more. Could one club afford to have all three and still have cap room to build out a championship team?

 

[Power Surge]

I actually think old man Rutherford was talking completely out of context when he said “he’s said before he wants to play with his brothers”, he was talking about at the 4 nations’ cup, not that he’s already approached the team saying he wants out. But it IS a possibility.

He said that they will move heaven and earth to offer him the amount he deserves but money may not be important to him and may not be enough to keep him there because he wants to play with his brothers. That definitely was not just about the 4 nations.

Then he went on to say unless we bring the other Hughes here....and we know that is not happening.

 

[Hisch13r]

Isn't Mercer an RFA? I could see nemec, Mercer, And a 1st for Hughes

Another 2 years at 4 then expires with his last year of RFA status. This is the baseline deal I look at. I’d throw in other picks but I don’t throw in Silayev or Casey. As great as Quinn is it’s not like he’s a necessity for us. Our D group is a strength. We shouldn’t be paying a kings ransom to add to a strength and especially not for a guy that might come here anyway.

 

[Power Surge]

Or the other two brothers force their way west. These are players who grew up in the rabid Toronto hockey market. Maybe they all three want to play in such a market? Which is closer to TO for hockey, Van or Jersey?
The insanity though is the cost of acquiring these guys. Quinn would cost a crazy amount right now and Jack and Luke even more. Could one club afford to have all three and still have cap room to build out a championship team?

The Devils are a little more of a stable organization right now and all 3 Hughes know that.

 

[Peter Griffin]

He said that they will move heaven and earth to offer him the amount he deserves but money may not be important to him and may not be enough to keep him there because he wants to play with his brothers. That definitely was not just about the 4 nations.

Yes, Rutherford is just being overly honest about the situation, like is far too often with the media. Everyone knows that is a district possibility, especially if the Canucks don’t turn their situation around quickly. Has he come out already and directly told management “I’m going to New Jersey in two years”? Highly doubtful.

Then he went on to say unless we bring the other Hughes here....and we know that is not happening.

He said if him wanting to play with his brothers is his most important deciding factor, then that’s the only solution.

Ultimately, unless Hughes has already told them “I’m out”, we’re not likely to see Hughes dealt before next year’s trade deadline at the earliest.

 

[Fatass]

The Devils are a little more of a stable organization right now and all 3 Hughes know that.

It’s about the market and which is more exciting to play in. These guys grew up around the Leafs. They love big games and the excitement in the city that goes along with that. They are all extremely confident in their abilities to help their clubs win. Imo they would all prefer a hockey crazy market.
There is a health concern with all three brothers too. Is the club having all three actually being smart?

 

[LaffyTaffy13]

Yeah, realistic if Hughes want the one who wants out. When he has decided to bolt, that lowers his value A LOT. Then even more, when he targets only 1 team.

Nah, theres teams that would pay big for him only for 2 years

 

[RedHawkDown]

In what world is the $11.6m heartless wonder worth 2 1st round picks ++.

The ++ is doing a lot of work here.

 

[Power Surge]

It’s about the market and which is more exciting to play in. These guys grew up around the Leafs. They love big games and the excitement in the city that goes along with that. They are all extremely confident in their abilities to help their clubs win. Imo they would all prefer a hockey crazy market.
There is a health concern with all three brothers too. Is the club having all three actually being smart?

I agree 100% that Vancouver is a great market and it's Philly (another great hockey market)west imo as far as crazy.

I had this argument with a Vancouver fan last week about NJ. NJ is part of the NY market. NJ isn't Omaha. This isnt the middle of nowhere here.

In the south it's very heavy Philly and in Central and North jersey all Devils.And parts of NYC a heavy Devils following. The Prudenciel center is literally 10 miles from MSG and NYC..now it may take 2 hours to get there . Devils Rangers and Islanders are all intertwined with eachother.

 

[Heldig]

Yeah, realistic if Hughes want the one who wants out. When he has decided to bolt, that lowers his value A LOT. Then even more, when he targets only 1 team.

While it lessens options we have seen GMs do pretty well when a player supposedly only wants to go to one location.

They have 2 years.

 

[Jerzey Devil]

Or the other two brothers force their way west. These are players who grew up in the rabid Toronto hockey market. Maybe they all three want to play in such a market? Which is closer to TO for hockey, Van or Jersey?
The insanity though is the cost of acquiring these guys. Quinn would cost a crazy amount right now and Jack and Luke even more. Could one club afford to have all three and still have cap room to build out a championship team?

Nah. Jack just wrote a letter to the devils fanbase after he was injured saying how heart broken he is and that he looks forward to winning for us for “years to come”.

I think the contract Luke signs this summer will be very telling of what the Hughes boys plan to do with their future. If he signs a 4 year extension Devils fans should be worried him and Jack are gone after that. If he signs an 8 year extension I would assume they’re making NJ their home for a while.

 

[Baksfamous112]

I don’t mind EP40 innMontreal. He’s a gamble but a calculated one. Personally, I would prefer to keep Dach and give him another shot. I also think there’s one too many first going back the other way. I would be open to add a prospect as well.

Laine + 2025 1st + Beck or Mailloux would be my offer. I would be open to add another 2025 1st if Van retain ~2M on EP40

 

[Power Surge]

Nah. Jack just wrote a letter to the devils fanbase after he was injured saying how heart broken he is and that he looks forward to winning for us for “years to come”.

I think the contract Luke signs this summer will be very telling of what the Hughes boys plan to do with their future. If he signs a 4 year extension Devils fans should be worried him and Jack are gone after that. If he signs an 8 year extension I would assume they’re making NJ their home for a while.

So I may not be right about Quinn to NJ over the summer but we will have an idea on something. I hope it works out for you guys (plus my best friend is old school Devils fan from NJ and both of us remember those 90s teams) which is why I'm rooting for it.

And that said I hope Vancouver has a successful rebuild and hits on their picks.

 

[Djp]

Laine + 2025 1st + Beck or Mailloux would be my offer. I would be open to add another 2025 1st if Van retain ~2M on EP40

Vancouver requires an established top 2 nhl center in any deal for EP

 

[Fatass]

Nah. Jack just wrote a letter to the devils fanbase after he was injured saying how heart broken he is and that he looks forward to winning for us for “years to come”.

I think the contract Luke signs this summer will be very telling of what the Hughes boys plan to do with their future. If he signs a 4 year extension Devils fans should be worried him and Jack are gone after that. If he signs an 8 year extension I would assume they’re making NJ their home for a while.

Healthy, each brother is great. But considering the injury concerns with each one (especially the recurring shoulder problems with Jack and Quinn’s seemingly playing banged up so much) maybe a club ending up with all three isn’t winning? The fans would be over the moon, of course. But how well would the club do over the longer term? It might be one of those, “careful what you wish for” kind of scenarios.

 

[Drive425]

Suggesting Laine and Dach dont fetch EP? Thats the price they pay + 2 1st:s. Canadiens dont need the picks, they have enough young players. They need a 1A-1B center and EP is that. If he gets his head straight, then Habs have arguable the best 1-2 punch in the league

Or they have a massive bust. Laine & Dach are not a problem to carry for the habs. I expect Hughes will be active at the draft and in the offseason but I don't believe EP will be anywhere on his radar.

 

[VaporTrail]

Safe to say Vancouver's going into tank mode for McKenna ?

 

[Baksfamous112]

Vancouver requires an established top 2 nhl center in any deal for EP

So who’s that established 2C coming back in the Montreal deal? Also, why do you think you could get a 2C +++ when EP40 hasn’t been producing like one since he signed his new deal?

 

[Captain Mountain]

I'd be willing to gamble on Pettersson from a Montreal POV, but either add retention or swap MTL's 2026 1st with a prospect or 2. Not sure I'd be willing to gamble how good Montreal will be next season and on Pettersson being able to bounce back with a NMC and high salary.

 

[De Montreal]

When it seems like Pettersson has mailed it in and Quinn Hughes, the captain, wants out to play with his bros - heres my proposal:

Devils get:

Quinn Hughes 7.85M UFA 2027

Canucks get:

Simon Nemec 0.918M RFA 2026

Ondrej Palat 6M UFA 2027 for cap-reasons

Casey Seamus 0.95M RFA 2027

1st 2026

Devils get a Norris-caliber 1D to play with his brothers and he will very likely resign there after 2027. Canucks get 2 very good young defencemen in Nemec and Seamus + a 1st to rebuild the team properly.


Vancouver get:

Patrick Laine 8.7M UFA 2027

Kirby Dach 3.36M UFA 2026

Canadiens 1st 2025

Canadiens 1st 2026


Montreal get:

Elias Pettersson 11.6M UFA 2032


Montreal get their 1-2 punch at C and hope EP rebuilds his career. Vancouver get rid of a guy, that does seem disinterested playing there. Canucks also get 2x 1st:s for their rebuild after their best player and captain also seem to want to leave.Dach could become a serviceable 3C. Laine is in for cap reasons.
'

Thoughts?

Vancouver could get a lot more than that for Quinn Hughes I think.

Dawson Mercer + Simon Nemec + Seamus Casey