The Washington Capitals reportedly held interest in Quinn Hughes until the very last moment.
According to a report from RG’s Marco D’Amico, the Capitals had a trade package on the table for the star Vancouver Canucks defenseman that was deemed strong enough to secure his services. However, the Caps were ultimately outbid by the Minnesota Wild, who acquired Hughes for three players and a 2026 first-round pick on Friday night.
The proposed Capitals package, according to D’Amico’s RG colleague, Jimmy Murphy, could have included 24-year-old forward Connor McMichael, 19-year-old defenseman Cole Hutson, another prospect, and two first-round picks. Murphy adds that the Capitals gave a “hard no” to any potential trade involving 20-year-old winger Ryan Leonard.
Washington may also have been reluctant to part with Hutson, who D’Amico says is very well-liked by the organization. Hutson, who the Capitals took in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft, currently leads all NCAA defensemen in scoring with 20 points (7g, 13a) in 17 games.
The Capitals’ interest in Hughes was first mentioned earlier this week when Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman floated them as a dark-horse trade suitor. Friedman then confirmed the team’s interest early on Friday morning but said he believed the Canucks would be unable to “snare the Capitals’ best young players.”
Hughes’s current contract has no trade protections, so the Canucks did not need his input before agreeing to any trade. The 2024 Norris Trophy winner is signed through next season (2026-27) at a $7.85 million cap hit. He will become eligible for a contract extension on July 1.
