Around the NHL: Quinn Hughes sweepstakes heating up, Blackhawks discussing goaltender trade

Welcome back to another edition of Around the NHL. The calendar has flipped to December, American Thanksgiving milestone weekend is behind us, and trade talks are starting to heat up in a major way throughout the league.

Besides all the trade chatter, there’s been plenty of surprises throughout the first two months of the season. The two-time Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are four points out of a playoff spot, and the same can be said for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the Western Conference, nobody saw the Anaheim Ducks leading the Pacific Division come Dec.1, meanwhile, how about the Colorado Avalanche? The Avs continue to roll, 9-0-1 in their last 10 games, sitting with a 18-1-6 record through 25 contests.

There’s plenty to cover this week, here’s the very latest from around the NHL.

Quinn Hughes sweepstakes are heating up

While there’s been plenty of trade chatter throughout the league of late, there’s no bigger name being discussed on the market than Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. All the attention has been pointed at the New Jersey Devils, as both of Quinn’s brothers are there, and if New Jersey decides it doesn’t want to wait for the mobile defenseman to sign with the team in two summers, and they want to unload a package to Vancouver to get two more playoff runs with all three Hughes’ brothers on the roster, then they’re likely going to have to give up defenceman Simon Nemec and forward Dawson Mercer.

If the Canucks wind up moving Hughes this season, at least two premium pieces would be heading to Vancouver, with three not being out of the question. The Canucks aren’t interested in just high-end draft picks and prospects, they want NHL-ready talent, with massive potential, and the Devils are one of the only teams that can put together a strong offer.

The Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers are two other teams that have been recently linked to making the major splash. The Flyers are close to New Jersey geographically, as Quinn is rumoured to want to be closer to the rest of his family, and have some pieces that could entice Patrick Allvin and Jim Rutherford. Top prospect Porter Martone would surely be involved. Detroit could have to part with Lucas Raymond, among others.

While Vancouver is listening on Kiefer Sherwood, Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger, among others, if they decide to move Hughes this season, it’s going to be the biggest bidding war of the year. Hughes has one season left on his contract at $7.8 million AAV, doesn’t hold any trade protection, and has recorded 22 points in 21 games this season.

Chicago Blackhawks open to moving Laurent Brossoit

Blackhawks goaltender Laurent Brossoit is ready to return to action, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be in Chicago for much longer. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Brossoit will be joining the Rockford IceHogs on a conditioning stint. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson has been working the phones, looking to move the 33-year-old goaltender.

Brossoit is signed for $3.3 million AAV, and hasn’t played since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Blackhawks don’t have room for another goaltender, as they’ve been on a tear this season, led by goaltender of the now, and the future, Spencer Knight.

Brossoit is 64-46-13 throughout his career, with a 2.64 goals against average, and a .911 save percentage. There’s a good chance Davidson will have to retain some of his remaining salary to finish off this year, but regardless, there should be plenty of interest in the veteran netminder.

The Edmonton Oilers know Brossoit well from his days in Winnipeg, and there’s also the Montreal Canadiens, who could have Brossoit on their radar, along with the Anaheim Ducks, who lost Petr Mrazek to injury on Sunday night. Keep an eye on the Blackhawks, as it appears a goalie trade is around the corner.

Quick hits from around the NHL

• Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard had a four-point game Sunday against the Ducks, and is now second in the NHL with 37 points, seven behind Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the league with 44 points in 25 games.
• MacKinnon and Boston Bruins’ Morgan Geekie are the first two players to hit 20 goals this season.
• New York Rangers put defenceman Adam Fox on LTIR with a serious shoulder injury, which could keep Fox out of the lineup for over a month.
• New York Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri tore his ACL in a game over the weekend, and managed to get himself back to his feet, and while he was skating off, he stole the puck, made a great pass, and earned an assist on what’s likely his last shift of the season.