Will Hellebuyck Lure Quinn Hughes to the Devils?

Obviously, there has been a lot of discourse involving Hellebuyck’s situation with the Jets this summer. After winning gold with Team USA at the Winter Olympics in February, Hellebuyck was quoted as saying about Winnipeg, “I’m really excited to bring that same excitement to this city.” Clearly, that didn’t work out, as he requested a trade just a few months later. In his career, Hellebuyck has played 625 games and posted a .916 regular-season save percentage and a .903 playoff save percentage.

To the Devils, Hellebuyck brings a championship-caliber presence to the net. With three Vezina Trophies, one Hart Trophy and one Olympic gold medal, Hellebuyck looks to continue adding to his trophy cabinet in New Jersey. Hellebuyck could prove to make all the difference in Jersey. 

Enter Quinn Hughes

2026 gold medalist Quinn Hughes was involved in trade talks last season. After leaving Vancouver for the Minnesota Wild last December, Hughes is still unsigned for a new contract for next season. If Minnesota can’t sign him to an extension by July 1, 2027, Hughes will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA).

Quinn Hughes has had the Devils on his radar for quite some time. His brothers, Jack and Luke Hughes, currently play in New Jersey and have contracts that run through 2030 and 2032, respectively. After getting a taste of playing with Jack in the Olympics, Quinn would love another opportunity to play with both brothers regularly, saying, “It would be really cool.”

With the addition of star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the Devils are now a more attractive destination than ever if Hughes remains unsigned.

Managing the Cap

The Devils have only $16.8 million in projected cap space for next season. However, they will have seven UFAs, mostly veterans like Evan Rodrigues, Brenden Dillon, and others who aren’t core pieces or up-and-coming prospects. With few re-signings to complete next offseason, the Devils will have more money available to lock down Quinn Hughes and build around the rest of the team.

Hughes may look to command more than $16.8 million on his next contract. Fellow star defenseman Cale Makar just inked a record-breaking $20.4 million-a-year contract. This number may have set a new standard for what the league’s top defensemen are worth. If the Devils can offload a few more pieces without disrupting their core, they could land Quinn Hughes.

What’s Next for the Devils?

The Devils started this season with a 2-3 record. They were generating plenty of shots, but those opportunities weren’t translating into goals. Since then, the team has really stepped their game up. Until Hellebuyck’s signing, it seemed that the only question mark was its goaltending. Now with Hellebuyck in net, the Devils look like future Stanley Cup contenders.

Quinn Hughes is on a good team with the Wild, and it may be difficult to lure him away. A chance to play with a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and both of his brothers seems like the best deal for Hughes.