Despite losing one of the best players in franchise history, the Vancouver Canucks seemed to net a reasonable return.

However, that question still lingers: could they have done better?

We’ll never know for sure, but we are learning more about which other teams were in the running for the former Canucks captain.

ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski published an article in conjunction with former Canucks employee Rachel Kryshak on Tuesday about the trade itself and the runners-up in the Hughes sweepstakes.

Here’s what we learned about the other suitors.

New Jersey Devils

If Hughes is going to unite with his brothers in New Jersey, it’s going to have to wait a little longer.

That won’t be much solace for Devils fans, many of whom are livid with the fact that their team didn’t get Hughes.

Devils fans should be furious over this… Devils GM Fitzgerald had all summer (like Philly and other teams) to prepare for this with either trades or buyouts. Even fans knew Quinn was on the move. https://t.co/2i1IgseKar

— annikadevils (@annikadevils) December 16, 2025

Wyshynski’s report suggested that the package from New Jersey could have looked something like Simon Nemec, Dawson Mercer, prospect defenceman Anton Silayev and a first-round pick.

The biggest issue? Most players on the Devils’ roster have no movement clauses, which hampered their ability to make the deal.

Current New Jersey Devils NMC/NTCs 👀:

-Timo Meier
-Jesper Bratt
-Nico Hischier
-Ondrej Palat
-Connor Brown
-Stefan Noesen
-Evgeni Dadonov
-Dougie Hamilton
-Brett Pesce
-Brendon Dillon
-Johnathan Kovacevic
-Jonas Siegenthaler
-Jacob Markstrom
-Jake Allen

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 16, 2025

As reported before, the Canucks did want Nico Hischier back via trade, something which the Devils were not interested in.

New York Rangers

Reports surfaced during the Hughes saga that the New York Rangers had interest in the star defenceman.

Wyshynski’s article stated that the Canucks had interest, as they long have, in winger Alexis Lafreniere. The Canucks were also interested in prospect Gabe Perreault, along with current NHLers Will Cuylle, Noah Laba and Braeden Schnieder.

According to the report, the ask was too big for the Rangers to meet.

Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings were, at one point, the betting favourites to land Hughes.

Their interest made sense, and there were multiple connections between the franchise, the state, and the Hughes family.

Ultimately, the price may have been too steep with Yzerman and the Red Wings.

Based on what we know about the return, Wyshynski correctly states that a comparable package for the Red Wings would have been defenceman Simon Edvinsson, prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, either Marco Kasper or Nate Danielson, and a first-round pick.

The report suggested that the Wings “balked” at a portion of that package.

Buffalo Sabres

Just days after the Hughes trade was completed, the Buffalo Sabres fired their general manager, Kevyn Adams. Coincidence?

This was the most surprising team to be listed in Wyshynski’s story. He reported that the Sabres made a pitch, and that B.C. natives Zach Benson and Bowen Byram would have been the key pieces in any potential deal.

The rest

The Washington Capitals picked up steam as a Hughes contender right before he was dealt to the Wild.

Wyshynski reported that their interest in Hughes was overstated.

He said that they weren’t interested in trading Ryan Leonard, Aliaksei Protas or Ilya Protas. However, a bid still could have been built around centre Connor McMichael and prospect Cole Huston.

The Carolina Hurricanes were the other team that reportedly made a pitch for Hughes; however, their offer was considered inferior to Minnesota’s.

So, based on this knowledge, do you think the Canucks got the best offer possible for Hughes? Let us know in the comments below.