Vancouver Canucks May Have Already Found A Replacement for Quinn Hughes In Preparation for His Departure
Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports
A trade target has been named as a potential 'Plan B' for Patrik Allvin if Quinn Hughes leaves the Vancouver Canucks in the coming years before becoming an unrestricted free agent in July 2027.
The Vancouver Canucks could see some big changes coming to their roster in the years ahead, with rumors swirling about Quinn Hughes' future with the organization following comments from Jim Rutherford back in April when he said that it might not come down to money or term with their captain, as he's mentioned his desire to play with his brothers Jack and Luke at some point during his NHL career.
There's no doubt the Vancouver Canucks are going to do whatever it takes to get their captain locked up long-term as he's the most important player on their roster and undoubtedly a top-three defenseman in the National Hockey League right now.
Former fourth overall pick nabbed as possible 'Plan B' for Vancouver Canucks
While a Quinn Hughes trade doesn't seem very likely this summer, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman recently revealed that the Vancouver Canucks are "on the clock" when it comes to their captain.
He also shared that some point soon, Hughes could turn to the team's brass and say that he doesn't want to be somewhere where he doesn't have a chance at winning the Stanley Cup.
"Elliotte Friedman: Canucks are "absolutely" on the clock when it comes to Quinn Hughes; Hughes is going to start saying "I don't want to be somewhere where I'm not gonna win" at some point - SN 590" NHL Rumour Report said on X.
If Quinn Hughes does want to be moved, whether it's this summer or next summer, the Vancouver Canucks are going to have a very difficult time finding a first-pairing defenseman to replace him, he's irreplaceable, there's no doubting that.
In a recent interview on Sekeres and Price, Patrick Johnston of The Province believes that someone like Bowen Byram could be a good fit for the Canucks, if they are worried about the future of Quinn Hughes.
"If you are worried about Hughes' future, he's [Byram] your Plan B, right? You need a good skating, puck moving defenseman and in the long run if it's not going to be Quinn Hughes, you know I guess Bowen Byram would look good in that spot." Johnston said.
He added, "He's obviously not Quinn Hughes, but he still brings that style of game, which clearly you need, Like if you're going to survive, you need a defenseman.
We know that, we look at every team that's had success in any part of the game now, you have defenseman who can move. Is Byram that guy and does he have the track record to be the guy? I think so."
He added, "He's obviously not Quinn Hughes, but he still brings that style of game, which clearly you need, Like if you're going to survive, you need a defenseman.
We know that, we look at every team that's had success in any part of the game now, you have defenseman who can move. Is Byram that guy and does he have the track record to be the guy? I think so."
Byram, 23, is a player the Vancouver Canucks have been linked to in the past and recently, the Buffalo Sabres began gauging the market for the former fourth overall pick, with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reporting that he believes the blueliner would like a bigger role after being stuck behind Rasmus Dahlin and before that, Cale Makar in Colorado.
The Cranbrook, British Columbia native is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights and at this time, it's unclear what the exact cost it would be to pry him from the Buffalo Sabres and bring him to his home province, but one would have to assume it'll involve the Canucks' first round pick in this year's draft (15th overall).
In 82 games during the 2024-25 season with Buffalo, Byram put up a career-high 38 points (seven goals, 31 assists), 46 penalty minutes and was a plus-11.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 10 | 1730 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks May Have Already Found A Replacement for Quinn Hughes In Preparation for His Departure Should the Vancouver Canucks pursue a trade for Bowen Byram this summer? | ||
| Yes | 1115 | 64.5 % |
| No | 615 | 35.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
