Could an unexpected contender hijack a New Jersey Devils trade for Quinn Hughes?

Vancouver Canucks v Dallas Stars | Sam Hodde/GettyImagesIf anything has been made clear in all the NHL trade rumors flying around in recent weeks, it's that many teams - not just the New Jersey Devils - are going to be in on the Quinn Hughes sweepstakes.

Some of those teams, especially out in the Western Conference, are arguably better-equipped to make a push for the Stanley Cup than the Devils are at this very moment.

Now, that really doesn't change the outlook for the Devils when Hughes hits free agency in 2027, but it is well within the realm of possibility that another team outbids them for the eldest brother in hopes of winning a championship.

A team like the Dallas Stars, who already…