Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. Are the Detroit Red Wings poised to make a franchise-altering move and acquire star defenseman and Michigan native Quinn Hughes?
The Hughes rumors have been building slowly since last season and have continued to gain traction over the summer. Those same trade rumors are really starting to pick up steam now in December and have to come to a head here sooner than later. The Canucks captain is a superstar in the second-to-last season of his current six-year deal that carries a team-friendly $7.85 million annually.
With the Canucks seemingly stuck in the mud, and with no guarantee Hughes will be willing to sign a long-term extension might elect to trade their captain this season while he has one year of term remaining which will only enhance what is expected to be a lucrative return.