We’re beginning to learn more about the runner-ups from the Quinn Hughes sweepstakes.

New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald addressed the media this week, where he touched on his team’s failure to complete the Hughes trifecta. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman also reported recently that Hughes wanted to go to the Detroit Red Wings, but that Steve Yzerman wouldn’t complete the trade without an extension (which wasn’t even possible).

However, it was Washington Capitals general manager Chris Patrick who may have been the most forthcoming about his pursuit of the former Canucks captain.

Patrick met with the media in Washington on Friday, where he was asked about his rumoured interest in Hughes.

“Yeah…which one of you guys was [spreading] that?” he joked.

Not only did Patrick confirm that they inquired about Hughes, but he shed light on a key player he wasn’t interested in giving up.

“We checked in for sure…I really like Cole Hutson and for me, I want to see what he can do in a Washington Capitals sweater. So, that wasn’t a piece that I was willing to move in that kind of trade.”

COLE HUTSON PUTS USA ON TOP 😤 pic.twitter.com/FBGTlYYYJe

— EVERYTHING COLLEGE HOCKEY (@TeamECH) January 3, 2026

For the Capitals to match what the Wild had on the table, their offer would have had to be something like Hutson, 24-year-old centre Connor McMichael, winger Ivan Miroshnichenko (selected two spots after Liam Öhgren in 2022), and a first-round pick.

Hutson profiles similarly to Zeev Buium, the young defenceman whom the Canucks acquired from the Minnesota Wild. During two years of university hockey, Buium averaged 1.18 points-per-game. Hutson has averaged 1.16 during his two years at Boston University.

Both defencemen were also among the best players for the United States at the World Juniors when they won gold together in 2025. However, it was Hutson who led the team offensively with 11 points in six games.

Buium was selected 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2024. Hutson went in the second-round to Washington at 43rd overall.

While both players are comparable, the main difference was that Wild general manager Bill Guerin was willing to pay the price, while Patrick wasn’t.

“Quinn Hughes is an elite player, for sure. But, you know, when you have Jacob Chychrun and John Carlson and Cole Hutson coming…I don’t know if the price, you know, again, top top prospects we’re talking here, I don’t know if that price would have made sense for what we have.”

The Capitals are currently outside the playoff bar in a tightly-contested Eastern Conference. However, they actually have the best goal differential in the East at +17.

For Patrick, he’s just happy that Hughes didn’t end up going to a team closer to Washington.

“I’m glad Billy did us a favour and kept him out West so we only see him twice a year.”