Devils Rink Report: Is Quinn Hughes’ Fate Tied to a Star New Jersey Defenseman?

The Quinn Hughes and New Jersey Devils chatter won’t end until the eldest Hughes brother inks his next deal. Whether that’s in Vancouver, New Jersey, or elsewhere remains to be seen. However, if Quinn calls his next home the Prudential Center, is his fate tied to another Devils star defenseman?

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No, we’re not asking if Quinn’s fate is tied to Luke Hughes.

Yes, that’s the obvious appeal for the Canucks captain to pack his bags and leave Vancouver, alongside middle brother Jack Hughes.

However, the star defenseman in question is Dougie Hamilton. Seeing as both he and Luke are now $9 million defenseman, is Quinn’s fate tied to Hamilton’s future in New Jersey?

On the latest episode of Devils Rink Report with James Nichols, NHL Insider David Pagnotta explains.

“Theoretically, mathematically, it makes sense,” Pagnotta started. “But, I don’t see a scenario where Vancouver entertains that now. If they entertain anything involving Quinn Hughes now, it’s because he’s gone to them and said, ‘I’m not signing. Forget it. I’m out.’”

It’s not just Devils fans who have Quinn written out of Vancouver when his contract is up in two seasons. Many fans around the league think because of the comments made by Canucks President, Jim Rutherford, and some questions Quinn answered to the media in the preseason, it’s a matter of when, not if.

Yet, Pagnotta explained, he heard Quinn’s recent comments on the matter differently.

“[Quinn] said, come July 1, when I’m able to sign, you’ll see what I want to do,” Pagnotta continued. “I know a lot of people took that as, ‘I’m not going to sign,’ and that’s the first time he can leave. I took that differently, I took that from the different end of the spectrum. Quinn essentially said, ‘Everybody thinks I’m going to take off. Wait until July 1, and then you’ll see what my real intentions are.’ To me, that means he would sing. I don’t think he’s made a decision one way or another.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Pagnotta recognizes Hamilton’s name has certainly been in the rumor mill. At the start of last summer, it was reported teams were checking in with the Devils on the star defenseman’s status. That fact remains to this day.

“Hypothetically, thinking from a mathematical perspective, and just from a roster usage side of things, and space. You bring in a guy like Quinn Hughes, you’re probably going to have to move out a guy like Dougie Hamilton,” Pagnotta said. “We’ve heard his name before, I’m sure we’re going to hear it again because of his contract and if they are looking to be flexible, that provides an option in terms of moving a high-price body out to bring a high-price body in. But, I would handle this with very sensitive hypothetical gloves.”

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