Update On Canucks’ Hughes, Canadiens’ Next Steps After Trading Price

Quinn Hughes’ future with the Vancouver
Canucks has been murky since team president Jim Rutherford floated
the notion of the defenseman one day joining brothers Jack and Luke
with the New Jersey Devils.

Hughes, 25, is two years away from UFA
eligibility, prompting speculation suggesting the Canucks might have
to consider trading their captain if unable to sign him to a contract
extension next summer.

James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now
noted the ongoing conjecture linking Hughes to the Devils, but
doesn’t believe a trade will happen anytime soon.

Nichols cited Hughes’ Sept. 5 interview
with Sportsnet’s Iain McIntyre, where he stated he wasn’t looking
beyond this season. “Who knows what we can do and who knows how
I’ll be feeling this time next year? It’s still a year away,” he
said.

Trading Hughes this season would signal
a rebuild by the Canucks. However, their moves this summer (including
re-signing Thatcher Demko, Brock Boeser and Conor Garland) suggest
they’re hoping to rebound after missing the 2025 playoffs. If it goes
well, it could convince Hughes that his long-term future is in
Vancouver.

Canadiens Trade Carey Price’s Contract To Sharks: Recapping Goalie’s Time In Montreal
The Montreal Canadiens traded Carey Price and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick to the San Jose Sharks on Friday.

Meanwhile, in Montreal, the Canadiens
were expected to shop Carey Price’s contract after paying the
permanently sidelined goaltender his $5.5-million signing bonus last
Monday. On Friday, they bundled his contract with a 2026 fifth-round
pick to the San Jose Sharks in return for minor-league defenseman
Gannon Laroque.

Shipping out the entirety of Price’s
cap hit makes the Canadiens cap-compliant this season, putting them
under the $95.5 million salary cap by $4.568 million.

Marc Dumont of Montreal Hockey Now
indicated the Canadiens have the cap flexibility to make a trade to
improve their roster this season. They could accrue over $20 million
if they wait until the March 6 trade deadline.

RG.Org’s Marco D’Amico believes the
Canadiens won’t take that long. He cited sources claiming they could
make moves before training camp or toward American Thanksgiving (Nov.
27).

It’s no secret that the Canadiens seek
a second-line center. They were linked to Marco Rossi before he
re-signed with the Minnesota Wild last month. Speculation persists
that they’re among the teams interested in Mason McTavish, but it’s
expected that the Anaheim Ducks will re-sign the 22-year-old RFA.

For
action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue,
subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by
subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
THN.com.